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Original poster

Does your teenager have a job?

70 replies

Strugglingtodomybest · 16/02/2019 09:08

My eldest is 14, which is the age I started working evenings and then the following year on Saturdays.

I always thought I'd want my own kids to get a job at the same age but now I'm unsure!

I'm unsure that there are even jobs out there anymore for 14 year olds and I'm unsure that I want him to work now anyway as school seems to be harder work than when I was there.

What are your experiences of teens working?

OP posts:

BagofTeeth · 16/02/2019 11:14

Yes but not a paid one, they volunteer at the moment.

Decormad38 · 16/02/2019 11:16

13 year old babysits for next door neighbours and rabbit sits for other neighbours. She used to have a paper round on a Sunday am but she only did that for 4 months.

YeOldeTrout · 16/02/2019 11:26

Refereeing will give someone a lot of people skills, too. If they can deal with those stresses, they will have tremendous resilience in many areas of life. Also it's a role... putting on the mantle of that role & chucking it off at end of day is how many jobs need to work (like teaching or healthcare) and yet still have own identity at end of the day.

Drama is another way to gain similar skillset, I suppose :).

bobstersmum · 16/02/2019 11:36

I had a Saturday job in a cafe at 13 and I washed up, cleared tables and made sandwiches. I am not sure if places take them on so young these days but step daughter will be 15 this year and is definitely mature enough. Paper rounds are ideal if in a decent area, I saw one advertised in local newsagents and it said £35 a week!

0MrsP · 16/02/2019 11:56

My 15 year old DSS has a Saturday job working for a family member. I think it's really important for them to learn the value of money and how it's earned. He wants another job with more hours when he's 16. We've said no until after his exams.
Once he's at college we expect him to be working at least the Saturday job, more if he chooses to and he can balance it all.

MuttsNutts · 16/02/2019 12:43

Sorry @Clary, I misunderstood your post - that’s far more reasonable!

Chickenwing · 16/02/2019 12:55

I had a paper round at 14 & kept this til my first pt job at 16. It does teach you the value of earning your own money. (And certainly didn't get in the way of exams, it's only a few hours a week..)

BearSoFair · 16/02/2019 13:15

He didn't at 14, started doing one shift on the weekend (8-1:30 or 1-6:30 Saturday, or 11-5 Sunday) when he finished school last summer.

Original poster

Strugglingtodomybest · 16/02/2019 14:56

Thanks for all the replies! Definitely a lot to think on. A paper round isn't an option as there's only one newsagents in the village and someone in the year above him does it.

Reffing sounds great, I didn't realise that they got paid so much. Unfortunately, DS isn't into football though.

Delivering leaflets might be an option though.

OP posts:

WickedGoodDoge · 16/02/2019 16:15

DS(16) is a swim coach. I am sitting outside his work right now waiting for him to finish. The hours are semi-detached regular- generally four hours on a Saturday and one on a Sunday but he also sometimes helps supervise at all day galas. He really enjoys it.

Wendywoo1000 · 16/02/2019 17:51

DD1 is nearly 17 and hasnt a job. Limited availability here.

DD2 is 15 and has a job on Sunday but other DD cant work Sunday. But if nly has a couple of shifts a month which is nit enough.

CVs have gone out but as i said, limited as every teen wants a job

anniehm · 16/02/2019 17:53

Not at 6th form even for mine but they are choristers so spend a lot of time singing (and are paid though it's so low it doesn't count!)

Slowknitter · 16/02/2019 17:58

Can you not see the connection - that having a paper round or any other job on a CV demonstrates a work ethic to a potential employer

Personally I'd rather my nearly 14 yo continued focussing on her studies. I wouldn't see doing a paper round as evidence of a work ethic. I'd see it as evidence that a 14 yo was more interested in getting money to spend on stuff than they were in devoting their time to the education that will actually contribute to them getting a good job. Most of the local schoolkids I know of who have jobs at 14 are the ones who muck about at school and can't wait to leave.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 16/02/2019 18:07

We live in Hartlepool. The only "job" my teens could get would be prostitution or running for drug dealers.
There are no jobs for adults with qualifications and/or years of experience. Nobody wants school children.

Comefromaway · 16/02/2019 18:13

It’s really difficult to get a job at that age. You have to get a licence from the council and there are restrictions on the hours they can do.

Ds is 15 and a few of his friends have paper rounds but a lot of newsagents are closing and people aren’t having newspapers delivered any more. Ds asked if he could apply but I pointed out he’d have to give up his after school choir & dance/musical theatre groups. He has just done work experience in a local music shop and they told him to contact him in the summer (when their current Saturday person is due to leave for uni) so we will see.

Dd got a job last September when she was 16 helped no out at a drama class. Othe wise there isn’t much until age 18.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 16/02/2019 18:14

Ds1 didnt have a job til he was nearly 18, it was pretty much just in the holidays . He doesn't have a job at uni but works in the summer and Christmas after his first year

Dd had a paper round at 14/15 which she had to give up after a few months, she also got a shop job just before her 17th birthday which again she had to leave after a few months ( health reasons)

I dont think ds2 (15) has any intention of working

We are happy to support them til uni

Teddyduchamp · 16/02/2019 18:26

My 17 year old works sat and Sunday and my 13DD is 14 next week and then next day is going to see a lady about a job. She has seen her older sibling earning money and wants some of the action!

Patchworkpatty · 16/02/2019 19:20

I have 7 teens and now young 20s . All have started work at 14. Four have worked at a wedding company waiting tables and washing up for a catering company. Very lucrative with wedding tips ! The other three have variously worked in the village shop/fencing company.

My only rules have been no more than one evening and one weekend day. Any sign of school work slipping and the week day eve is cut.

The money has allowed them to really enjoy their teen years . Far more than I would (or could) afford.

clary · 16/02/2019 19:23

Slowknitter that's not very nice. My DC are not perfect but none of them mucked about at school thanks.

FWIW a good thing about having a job is having someone to give you reference for jobs in the future if you go straight to work from school /college. It was good for ds1 anyway.

Patchworkpatty · 16/02/2019 19:23

Posted to soon..

Above all it has taught them reliability, & punctuality and given them self confidence and the ability to speak with adults in a mature sensible way.

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