"Mum how can I possibly fit in a part time job ....

[BigSandyBalls2015]

...... you do realise I'm in year 11 don't you, under enormous stress, with sooooo much revision to do".

Said my DD last night, with a completely straight face, after spending the entire day lying on the sofa under a blanket with her phone, before heading to a mates to get ready for a party

at school you usually have a Saturday job no, you don't. Some do and some don't. There is nothing 'usually' about it. What suits one teen and their family doesn't always suit another.

Our children got jobs very soon after their GCSEs finished. Most places round here won't take kids on until they're 16, and we wanted them to put all their effort into their exams so the Summer was the right time for them.

They worked all the way through A levels. They both did very well, DS1 left his job the day before he joined the army and DS2 left his a week before uni.

Once DS2 was at uni he had a couple of weeks to settle in then started looking for jobs. He had 3 interviews in the 3rd week, and was offered 2 of the jobs.

He's a student nurse, so he's full on at uni, but he's on top of his work, does well at placement and does his part time job. He likes the money!

Meadows why are you being so picky and obtuse?

Not sure anyone's claiming they worked 40 hours a week when they were in school....

I never put my oldest two dds under any pressure to get jobs. Chill time is so important as they are under immense pressure at school. Dd1 studied really hard as she was applying for medical school. We gave her a small allowance and she managed. By year 13 she needed more spending money than we could provide and so managed to juggle a job with schoolwork. At that stage, it was a break for her and it did make her very efficient with her time. Dd2 is 14 and desperate for a job, as she wants more money. I don't want her to get one, but have made a few enquiries. Most people say no under sixteens, which she seems to have accepted.

Meadows why are you being so picky and obtuse? you mean why am I not accepting your opinion as the norm? I get that we all have differing ideas about what works, which is great because as I pointed out earlier, kids are not all the same. So why should I accept that getting a Saturday job is what schoolkids do? That's your opinion. Going to school, studying, having lunch break is what schooljids do. Saturday jobs, They are optional.

I think meadows has hit the nail on the head - every teen is different, everyone's family circumstances are different, there is no 'usually' . Not quite sure what's so hard to understand about that - we all have different circumstances.

sukey I can not quite believe you have written that - think about it - hyperbole for comic effect -

Meadows you really are rude.

My post, which you keep referring to, is being taken out of context. I typed:

"Yes meadows of course there should be a balance which is why at school you usually have a Saturday job."

As in, IF you work at school you usually have a Saturday job. As opposed to, if you work at school you might work one hour a week or 55. No, you usually have a Saturday / Sunday job.

It doesn't not indicate that teenagers, as a population, "usually"
Work at all.

Oh ok. I missed the bit where i was rude, I thought it was a discussion and I didn't think the same as you.

My DD worked right through her GCSEs and A Levels and all the time she was at Uni. I completely understand that some people need that time out of school for additional studying, but many dont and holding down a job when you are young is such a valuable life skill. It's also something that future employers may look at in a positive light.

You probably didn't notice you were being rude because it's just your personality

You probably didn't notice you were being rude because it's just your personality. That will be it then. Thanks for the heads up.

Well, I didn't think she was rude either. Your post could be interpreted either way.

Worked right through my GCSEs, A levels & my degree. Have 10 A*s and As at GCSE, AAA at A level and a first in my degree (from a RG uni). And I had a distinct advantage in the grad job market than many of my contemporaries whose parents had had the attitude that it was impossible to work and study at the same time.

I also worked full time whilst studying for a master's last year.

I actually think it helps you organise your time better.

Yes I understand your use of hyperbole. Whether its effect is comic or not is another matter

Have 10 As and As at GCSE, AAA at A level and a first in my degree*. That's great. But my point earlier, we are not all the same. I couldn't have achieved that in twice the amount of time with no job because It is way above my level of attainment. So while you managed it with a job, some may only manage that without the added pressure of a job, and some may never achieve that much. We are all different. The 'I had a job and I managed' is not valid argument for a teen having a job, we can't all manage that well.

Ds 17 works 12 hours..5-9 Friday and Monday, 1-5 on Sunday. Manages fine...predicted 3 A*s. It depends how motivated the child is. He earns good money and does loads of overtime at Xmas and summer. Good for personal statement.

Yes, but he's a bit older, in sixth form. This is someone who's still taking GCSEs. Was your son working those hours at the start of year 11?

Meadows

That's an excuse IMO, there's no reason why all teens (SN aside) can't manage both.

Many Saturday jobs are only 4 hours, most teenagers spend way more time a week than that fannying about on their phones watching telly (the ones I know, anyway).

I used to work in grad recruitment and it was truly staggering the number of graduates who came to us with literally no work experience. It doesn't look good.

Age 4/5 to 12 I picked tatties in the tattie holidays, strawberry and raspberrys in summer holidays. Age 12 onwards, daffodils at easter, paper round, dishwashing, waitressing until I left school at 17. I really don't understand what the problem is with doing some work!

I do accept that this type of work us not so easy to get these days though.

No because at 15 he couldn't get a job.
My point is that once they're 16 of course they should have a part time job if they can find one .

My 15 year old has a p/t job ,, he was lucky as it was offered to him after he done his WE there but otherwise I'd not be pushing him to get a job in an important study year . These are the first children/teens that will be taking the new exams as well of course .

Which Saturday jobs are only 4 hours