"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

Of course she can get a part time job. Both my daughters worked part time from 16, doing cleaning, retail, waitressing. Mainly at weekends and they both did well at school and obtained first class degrees at university. They both realised that if they wanted good jobs they needed to study, it taught them to manage their time, money and they both have learnt the value of hard work. They both managed to get into very good careers.

Letting teens get away with being lazy is not a good start to adulthood. We told ours if they wanted money to buy clothes, entertainment etc they need to earn it. Teaches them responsibility too.

Depends on the hours and the child too. Most good schools do ask parents to limit outside work during GCSE year.

Personally our line was 17 as they usually have free periods at school to study and work. But one of ours didn't cope well until uni age with a job.

Honestly posters saying what they did and didn't do or what their kids did and didn't do is a bit daft.

Each kid is different.

Soon she will have to work for a living and with retirement age going up and up it's going to be a really damn long time until she is able to stop. Let kids enjoy their freedom and innocence for as long as they can imo.

If the kid wants to work and will get something other than money from it then it can be a worthwhile thing. I did some short contract work making websites for companies when I was 15 and loved doing it as I enjoy making websites, but stacking shelves would have just made me miserable.

I wouldn't force a child to work, they have a lifetime of work ahead of them, doing things that make you happy and healthy are much more important at that age.

My ds has worked since 16 got good grades and is at university. It has honestly been the best thing for him - the confidence and maturity it has given him is amazing .