Is it worth kids doing a levels getting a part time job, or would you prefer your schedule to concentrate on their studies ?

[GingerKittenTail]

? The balance of a teen wanting to earn some money
but also having a lot to do work wise

what are your thoughts ?

The problem is if the employer starts to put pressure on them to do more hours and they feel obliged..
It becomes a worry and they like the money.

My sons were at an academic private school for sixth form which recommended a maximum of 5 hours a week for a paid job - recognising the many benefits and learning of having a job but ensuring that there was also enough time for study, sports, hobbies, relaxing. IMO as a university lecturer young people who have worked benefit in many ways - maturity, responsibility, team work. My sons worked in sixth form and used the money for a big school trip and driving lessons. They also both achieved predicted grades and got into their first choice unis.
It depends on the child of course but there are so many positives to a few hours a week work in sixth form.

I think in principle they should but my DD volunteers at a stables all day Saturday so potentially she'd have to give up that so I don't know if (when the time comes) I'll advise her to find work.

I don't want her overstretched.

um...

DS didn't revise. Or only bare minimum. Good he got work experience in A-level words. He would have just played more computer games if no job.

DD revised TOO Much. Literally gave herself mental illness. Some balance, work-life balance, would have been hugely more healthy.

So I vote PT job. All the way.

My DC age 16 doesn't want to get a job and I'm not pressuring him to do so. He accepts this means he'll have less money than some of his friends.

I worked from 13 as my parents had a thing about work ethic. By 6th form I was working 12 hours a week. Plus school, plus study. It was too much and we were not hard up. I feel a bit annoyed as I’ve been working like a dog ever since.

Interestingly I checked the online state pension calculator and I had accrued 3 years worth of contributions by the time I left school (paid tiny ammounts but count as a year). Maybe I’ll stop working early and thank my parents in the end.

As well as school work, he does lots of sport and music and I want him to have time for a social life and time to relax too.

I think it’s good for life skills. Dd does 11-3 on a Sunday in a busy cafe. She enjoys it think it’s been good for her development and she works with students which broadens her horizons so she can see her next stage.. She has the whole of Saturday the evenings and study periods for school work and is doing 3 alevels and EPQ not 4.

I prefer DD didn’t work during her Alevels, although if she said she wanted to I would support it. We don’t need the money though
She does some voluntary work related to the degree she’s hoping to do during the holidays and occasionally earns a bit modelling for a photographer friend and some pet sitting too

Nope, won't be happening in exam years.
They can do some chores at home.

I think that would count as unpaid work if she's committed to a regular

A few hours on a Saturday probably doesn't hurt, I agree. I disagree about life skills as they can be acquired in other ways and mine didn't ever need to stack shelves. They needed good, career appropriate cvs.

Lots of their friends worked evenings, all weekend etc and did show the research was accurate around effect of part-time working by getting lower grades.

As an employer, please, please encourage your children to get a part time job. And, do not go out and try to get it for them (I would never employ someone who’s mum asked about a job - THEY need to show some willing!)
At interview, the difference in young people who’ve worked and those that haven’t is massive, even for graduates. Work teaches them responsibility, the value of money and how to work in a team. Those that haven’t worked very often have an “it’s all about me attitude” and find the transition into FT work very hard.

I’d highly recommend it, if you feel they can still dedicate enough time for studying. I worked since I was 14, one evening and Saturdays, then worked throughout university. It’s helped me get work after uni so much - honestly my degree was so pointless when I was job hunting, I found my part time hospitality work much more useful to show I had experience of customer service, team management etc!

Im hoping my son gets a job during his A levels which start next year. He needs to save up if he wants to go away to university anyway as we cant afford to support him a huge amount due to our other sons high care needs.

Interestingly I checked the online state pension calculator and I had accrued 3 years worth of contributions by the time I left school (paid tiny ammounts but count as a year). Maybe I’ll stop working early and thank my parents in the end.

This is unlikely to be related to your earnings - for a considerable period of time HMRC automatically applied 'starting credits' for the year you turned 16 and the two following years (in order not disadvantage those staying in full-time education). Think the rules have changed for today's students though.

I've worked since 13 starting with a bit of babysitting, then paper round and then retail. It taught me a lot about managing my time, responsibility etc.

I find some of the attitudes on this thread ('''my DC couldn't possibly work during those years'') a bit silly and precious tbh.

Job. Mine both have a great work ethic and have never been without work . Started with paper rounds at 13, then cafes/chippy then retail right through to end of uni.

There are job opportunities for musicians, and they can be well paid for a teenager.

My dc has been wanting a job but most companies want 18 hrs. That was too many and would impact on his studies.
Better to focus on education to get the grades needed.

Mine got jobs. They used the money on fun- clothes, going out etc and admit that the time that they work would probably be spent on their phones instead so no harm done. During term time they worked about 8 hours a week. During school holidays more like 16 hours.

like the doing 4 a levels - it’s pointless unis only count 3

and the stacking shelves comment.

for my DDs it’s worked and really couldn’t give a toss if they’re not making £50k by 24 there’s so much more to life than money.

Always get a p/t job. It'll stand them in good stead for working with they go to Uni, give them their own money and teach good time management to fit in studying and a social life.

I think all teenagers should have a part time job. It helps them to learn time management and financial control. It’s amazing how much more they value things if they have bought them with their own money. It also gives them a sense of the world of work and how to get on with different (and difficult) people.

Money isn't everything, but it certainly smooths life's path I wonder what the average income the children who were encouraged to prioritise work over work experience and study actually earn or are expected to earn by the time they're 30?

Mortgages aren't easy to pay on £25k, Cars cost money to run. Holidays cost money. Weddings cost money. Food and electricity cost money. Relationships don't tend to blossom on beans on toast whilst wearing holey jogging bottoms andvwatching Netflix every night.

Money, sadly is huge important. Let's not pretend it isn't. We want our children to enjoy long and happy lives. Money makes that a bit more likely.