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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to allow my 12yr old ds, to start a

43 replies

ohokthen · 11/02/2012 11:47

paper round tomorrow.

My son went into our local newsagents to put his name down for a round for next year when he is 13.

The owners have known us both for years. The owner looked at his long list of names, and straight away offered him a job. "I know you wont mess up, so you can have it"

He starts tomorrow, Im going to go with him, on his 1st day. To help him get used to his route.

Is he tooo young??? And the job is every day is that too much????

Am I being irrisponsible in allowing him to do it??? What do you all think???

OP posts:
Groovee · 11/02/2012 11:48

Depends on your local coucil! Ours sets 13 as the lower age limit and the shop owner has to apply for a permit to allow the child to work

StrandedBear · 11/02/2012 11:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 11/02/2012 11:52

I don't know your son :) Some would be fine, some would not. What do you think? Do you think he will be fine or do you think he should wait until his next birthday? What does he think - afterall he only went to put his name down, he didn't actually plan on starting so soon - is he ready?

I think every day is a BIG committment, whether the child is 12/13/14 or whatever and I would rather they split the job.

What time of day would he have to do it?

If you do let him do it - then you have to stress to him that if it turns out to be too much or whatever, he has to tell you and you will help him sort it out (give notice/work his notice) but he is NOT to dump the papers or anything like that.

Original poster
ohokthen · 11/02/2012 11:52

£30 a week, apparently. Which I thought was good. I wont stop his pocket money. Will bank that for him.

OP posts:
troisgarcons · 11/02/2012 11:54

Won't do him any harm. It'll get easier as the weather warms up and the mornings lighten

Original poster
ohokthen · 11/02/2012 12:01

To be honest, I'm feeling really guilty. I said to him, that if its something he wants to do. He needs to get his name down asap, as his friends would be doing the same. For when they are 13. Never in a million years thinking they would offer him straight away.

They know how old he is. But he is chuffed to pieces, I though am thinking 7 days is too much of a committment. And wonder if I speak to the owner, he may agree to splitting it. He has 47 houses to do, which sounds alot as well. Especially with Sunday papers and school. Got to say though I am soooo proud of him.

OP posts:
catyloopylou · 11/02/2012 12:02

I did a paper round from when I was 12 till 16 every morning, in all weathers including the morning after the hurricane in the 80s. I also got to see some beautiful sunrises and be the first person up make footprints in the snow!. I got paid a piddling amount but it was great to have my own money.

If you DS thinks he can do it good for him. YANBU.

Kayano · 11/02/2012 12:10

My dad owned a paper shop. He used to pick the lads he knew and those he thought would be reliable.

He paid them well to the point that his rival thought he was nuts... Until we got a lot of his rivals business due to their not delivering papers!

A lot of the lads and lasses ended up with Saturday jobs at 16 to get a bit more money/ get them in the jobs market/ experience etc

They always got great Xmas tips

My dad is retired
Now but he still bumps into a lot of the old paper lads and lasses and talks fondly with/ of them Smile

It depends on the newsagent but as long as your lad is reliable he will be very valued
Member of the team x

Kayano · 11/02/2012 12:12

I loved the reliable ones because if the unreliable ones did not show / thought try would get away with dumping their papers in a bin etc it was me who had to go out last minute Wink

Only I got paid in sweets and slush puppy looks at waistline thanks dad...

aldiwhore · 11/02/2012 12:12

Good for him! I would have a word with the Newsagent though, if its too much for your son right now, in another year he may be able to cope 7 days a week. I agree about asking about a split week with another child.

Kayano · 11/02/2012 12:14

Yes that's an idea. We did offer split rounds as some kids did football or ther activities on certain days.

There was also just an option of doing a big Sunday morning round thus keeping weekdays free.

Original poster
ohokthen · 11/02/2012 12:49

Who would of thought I would be so excited and proud at my boy, getting his 1st paid job and at 1 as well Grin

OP posts:
mrsjay · 11/02/2012 13:12

our paper boys are 13/14 I dont see whats stopping him doing it tbh he can only try and if its not for him he can stop . let him have a go dont worry Smile

IloveJudgeJudy · 11/02/2012 13:15

47 papers is a heck of a lot! DS2 and DD both do paper rounds. They have about 24 papers each. DS2 (13) cannot carry his Saturday one. He has to take a trolley. Also, 7 days a week is very hard work. I wouldn't stop him doing it, but he has to realise it will take him at least an hour per day to do so he will either have to start before 7 am (illegal, but DS2 does do that) or be extremely organised so he can get to school on time. DS2 starts before 7 and so do most others, so that he can get to school on time. I shouldn't think your DS will be able to carry 47 in one go. They probably wouldn't fit in the bag in any case.

Afaik the shop should contact the school to ensure that the school are OK with this - that's how it is in our county, anyway. We also got a sheet showing the average weights of each paper and how much each age group are supposed to be allowed to carry.

Anyway, after all that, well done to your boy for having the initiative Smile. Actually, DS2 took over from DS1, but wasn't quite 13, so shop insisted that DH or I went round with him. Perhaps you could do that at the beginning, or at least at weekends. Also, it's a pain in the neck re sleepovers. DS2 went on one last night at quite short notice; none of his friends wanted to do the round, probably as it's quite cold atm and we hadn't given the shop enough notice of his non-availability, so DH did his round this morning! DD wouldn't have got up in time to do two rounds.

WorraLiberty · 11/02/2012 13:18

I think it depends on the area you live in.

There are a few areas/estates around here that I wouldn't want my sons walking around in the dark.

But if you feel he'll be safe, then let him go for it.

Original poster
ohokthen · 11/02/2012 13:44

Yes I am going with him tomorrow. Will be a good walk for the dog and me. Will let him give it a good go, and if its to much speak to the owner.

OP posts:
slartybartfast · 11/02/2012 13:47

is it in the mornings?
it is a lot of money.
is it everyday as you are going tomorrow?

LadySybilDeChocolate · 11/02/2012 13:48

I'm not certain that it's legal at his age. 13 is the minimum.

slartybartfast · 11/02/2012 13:48

well done him Smile

slartybartfast · 11/02/2012 13:48

i thought it was 14

Original poster
ohokthen · 11/02/2012 13:49

Yes its in the mornings, everyday and he earns £30 a week. And I am going tomorrow, as its a new estate and he does'nt know all the roads there.

OP posts:
LadySybilDeChocolate · 11/02/2012 13:49

www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Yourrightsandresponsibilitiesatwork/DG_066272 Yup, I'm right. It's illegal. Sorry.

SoupDragon · 11/02/2012 13:51

Are you sure it's legal?

SoupDragon · 11/02/2012 13:51

snap.

LadySybilDeChocolate · 11/02/2012 13:51
Smile
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