AIBU in considering allowing my dd to get a "job" when she turns 13?

[mumofjust1]

This is my first AIBU so be gentle!

My dd is 13 in 2 weeks and has discovered that she can legally "work" when she does turn 13.

She says she would like to and I have said ok, if we can find something suitable.

Anyway, posted for ideas on a local forum and one response suggested that I was indeed BU and questioned my daughters motives for wanting to work for money!

I had a job when I was 13 and it didn't do me any harm - so didn't think it was a big issue?

Thoughts appreciated :)

YANBU. It's good for children to do that and learn the value of money. I had lots of different jobs at that age, ranging from paper rounds, shops, riding stables, anything I was able to do that paid hard cash. I used to scan the weekly papers every week for any new opportunities that came up. You should let ds find work, it's good for them.

Sorry, just realised it is dd not ds.

Oh and just noticed that the lady who posted on my local forum is a volunteer centre manager and ACTUALLY said

"I would question closely why a 13 year old wishes to work when volunteering provides greater oppertunities"

Got that a bit muddled - I'm sure she mentioned money. Unless she's edited it.

YANBU. I had a paper round when I was 14, then I did washing up in a kitchen until I was old enough to work in a pub.

Lol jollybear!

I fully intend for my DC to get jobs once they are able to.

I got my first job at 13 (+ had a paper round for two years prior to that) and have never had a day out of work since. I think it helped me mature, taught me skills beyond what i was learning in school, opened up new opportunities (as i could afford things my Dmum couldn't have paid for me otherwise) i'd certainly let my Dcs work at 13 as long as the jobwas appropriate.

I would definately encourage voluntary work too.

The plum jobs when I was 13 were working as a shampooist in hair salons because of all the tips on top of the wages.

My sister lucky cow got one of these jobs and earned a fortune.

No, and I really wish my parents had encouraged me to get a job when I was that age. I got my first job when I was... twenty-two.

Paid jobs are difficult to find around my area anyway for 13 year olds.

However, found one which was leaflet delivering for 14 year old DD. She has now announced that it is slave labour and is not going to do it..

DS who is 12 is quite happy to take it on - he is happy to deliver leaflets and has done so.

I am very cross with DD!

So lots of people on this thread worked when they were 13 - I did too, but I can't see anyone that's posted that their DCs work at 13.

I would like my DCs to get jobs when they're older, but maybe it's not so easy, as some people have suggested? I worked in jobs that legally I shouldn't have been doing some of the time (preparing food in an old people's home) so maybe things have tightened up?

Dd comes to work with me on the market occasionally. She has saved up her money, and bought herself this

Oh, dd is 13

DS 14 in two weeks,has been delivering papers and leaflets for six months. Very proud of him,as you are of your DD.well done.

Be lucky to find a job!! Goodluck to her

I worked when I was 13, and I volunteered as well. Both were hard work and, 11 years down the line, it is still commented favourably on by prospective employers. The volunteer work especially, actually, but I kept that up for six years. I think working is,old a pp said, a good way of ensuring your dc aren't "posh nobs"

My dc will work the money is a good thig and it gives them a better understanding of finances etc, but it also let's them meet a variety of people that perhaps they wouldnt meet otherwise.

Thanks everyone :)

Your comments have been really interesting and helpful - I'm suprised so many of us were working at 13 or younger!

I think that if we find something then I'll let her give it a go. If nothing else it will be good experience for her. I will also enquire about the volunteerng - it's something I'd like to do myself actually, have been thinking about it for a while.

Thanks again :)

YANBU
Have seen on here a few times and wasn't sure what it meant.
Had a look at Urban Dictionary to find out.

Pretty sure it means something about being bossy along lines of Judges gaval

Go for it, some of the jobs for under teens.

Washing up in pubs / cafes
Babysitting - but I think parents want an older teen
Milkround / paper round
shopwork
waitering
Shoving leaflets through doors
I know of one teen who worked as a mascot for his local football team

I think it's a great idea. Learning about earning your won money and the satisfaction that can be gained from work is essential.

Jobs at 13 are hard to come by though other than paper rounds. Is she into any sports? I understand you can referee from an early age and this pays well (you need to do a course) but looking down this sort of route might find a way to mix her interests with something she can get paid for

I started work when I was 13 in a chip shop, worked after school till 11.45pm and was on £2ph, was over 10 years ago. Id say go for it, it gives great motivation and great work ethnic.

When I was 13 I had 2 paper rounds (weekday one and a Sunday one), babysat for practically every kid in the village and spent my summer picking strawberries on a local farm. Hated the strawberry picking but turned up every day because a boy I fancied worked there too £10 a day was a fortune to me.

Yes, yes, do it. its the one thing my mum regrets about raising us - she wouldnt let us work and we are crap with money, although getting better as we juggle mortgages and kids.

my son will be working from 15.

My dd has worked since she was 7!!!! She's a chorister and has acquired a free musical education and been paid £1 for every practice.

My ds has had more difficulty because has to go to school most Saturdays to play in matches and on Sundays for local clubs. He's mid way though A'Levels now and we wouldn't want a job getting in the way of his studies/sport. Last year he got a job at a local sports club which was very lucrative but will be hard pressed to do the same this year because he has too many other holidays obligations lined up.

Nothing wrong with work if they can fit it in and want to do it.

I worked from 13 doing a paper round only nine/ten years ago, it was fine, my younger sister and I did it together and shared the money We had to put in leaflets before delivering too. My older sister had a daily round and for a girl who hates getting out of bed she was good at being out the door by six each day! and getting back into bed when she got home at seven!
I also volunteered at cubs at 13+, and in a nursery one day a week from 16-18 (in college).

Also have a look at DofE for her, it's a good scheme that will get her to do bits of voulunteering among other things, that also helped with my work ethic and I started it at 13.5 :)

And get her to pop into pizza places and things, they always need someone to drop off leaflets!