To think it is worth it. Bit fed up.

[Sparklingbrook]

DS1 has a local paper round every Wednesday. 180 papers which pays just over £5 then 89p for each set of leaflets that go with the papers. Today there are 4 so he will pick up £8.50ish.

I was talking to a parent with a Ds the same age and she asked what it paid. Then said her DS wouldn't think it was worth it.

I was a bit 'erm' as I had just told her that DS was doing it.

So £5- £8.50 a week extra to pocket money isn't worth it for a 14 year old?

It will count for something on his 'CV' - years ago I used to recruit university graduates and I would always favour someone who had worked - whether it was a paper round, catering job, shop work - anything rather than just being a layabout teenager. I have a teenage DS myself and I know that not all teenagers are busy studying or doing 'wholesome' hobbies, loads of them are loafing around on playstations etc.

our DS (now 21 and at Uni) did this for a couple of years when he was younger. Local paper local streets one night a week. It was extra money that he wouldn't have had so it was worth it. Mind you - I did that paper round on quite a few occasions when he was ill or away.
I almost wish he could do that now - it is really, REALLY difficult to get part time work when you are at uni.

Well he came home tonight and did it. He could have spent 1 1/2 hours playing PS3 and not getting paid.

I think it will bode well for the future too.

I would also like to know where these brilliantly well paid jobs for 14 year olds are.....

I have to agree with saggy, that's the same rate I had for a paper round 20 years ago!!!

But that's not the point PorkPie. That is the pay. Nothing we can do about it.

I think it's decent enough money for a paper round, and good on your DS for doing it, and saving it to pay for some of the things he wants.

I had a paper round at 14, I got £1.80 for the week (about 1981, so good money back then!) and my mother took every penny, as she did when I started full time work a few years later.

I think it's great he has a job.

My son wouldn't do it and I don't blame him. It's shit pay

I used to get 20p a day for my paper round.

It was worth it for my DD age 12, but I had to go with her and it had to be in my name!! I didn't mind though.

She then did it on her own age 13 and was still worth it.

She then got a job in a shop, which she still has age 18, as well as another.

Apart from anything else, it teaches them that work = money. No work = no money!!

Handing them pocket money does not teach that.

Thanks for that ThisWay. What does your DS earn?

I would pay a kid to distribute leaflets if I could trust them to do it. If you keep moving, 100 an hour is possible in a residential neighbourhood of bungalows. I would pay maybe £5 per hundred, as many as the person wanted to deliver. I don't know if that's mean or not. I suppose I would go a bit higher.

I just wonder if, even if I found a kid I could trust, that would be considered mean.

I don't see how he could get more, unless he did a daily round. It is only the start, and you have to start somewhere!

Sparkling I think it's fabulous. He has independence, responsibility and work ethic. All of these things are life skills. On top of that he has some money in his pocket.

There are adults who would say it 'wouldn't be worth their time to go to a NMW job and others who would bite their hand off for one.

Good for him. Maybe the pay isn't great, but the principle, and discipline,of working is. Be proud of him and let him know it. It seems some parents rather over value the labour of their precious DCs. It isn't always just about the money and that is a useful life lesson.

I am really proud of him. He has started to earn money, and that's a good thing.

My 8 year old asks on a regular basis if he's old enough for a paper round yet!

All three of my DC have done that job. I know what it's like, stuffing the papers with leaflets. They all then went on to do daily paper rounds. DS2 still does his. I think it's a great way of teaching them the value of money. As soon as they started doing this, they realised that so and so would cost them two weeks' money, etc. Good for your DS.

I think its excellent! Well done to your marvelous teen. Not only is he out earning his own money but hopefully being an inspiration to your other DC as well.

Both my sister and I had paper rounds when we were younger. We had to as very poor background and we couldn't afford treats otherwise. I've never not worked since the age of 12. Even after going back to uni at 30 I worked 3 days a week in a care home to support myself whilst 75% of my fellow students were supported fully by their parents and still tried to cadge drinks off me at the bar.

Of course it's worth it! You are teaching your son much better values than she is. Feel proud of him!