To expect my 16 yr old to get full time work for the summer?

[whatthewhatthewhat]

At least 8 weeks until they go back to school for A-Levels. I worked full time at that age. AIBU to think they should get a job for the summer?

Many places offer internships to 16 yo students, but the time to apply was christmas. Too late now to get anything beyond retail work and that doesn’t have the oomph it once did for uni applications. Far better to wait for this christmas and apply for a summer internship in a big organisation.

As a student I worked in a cinema where they used the local uni students during term time and returning students during holidays, and a few others year round. There was always extra work in school holidays as it’s their busiest times.

I worked in a shoe shop in school holidays from the summer after my GCSEs onwards, and weekends during a-levels although my mum told me to quit during my second year of a-levels.

I’d at least expect them to try and get a job, yes.

@Magicroundabout321 of course places are hiring but plenty won't hire anyone under the age of 18 - simply because H&S states that there are lots of things that 16yos cannot do, or they can do them, but they need supervision which needs more time and staff to ensure.

I work retail and we don't really hire under eighteens - they need longer breaks, different hours and allowances made due to their age. It makes things far more complicated than necessary.

I think all 16 year olds should be working part time. Skills learned early are so beneficial. Nothing worse than a temp turning up at 18 and not knowing how to greet visitors/ approach senior staff members or even make a cup of tea!!! The young people who actively sought work from young ages are more rounded and often more disciplined.

I had a full time summer job when I was 16. 5 days a week, and yet like a pp still had a curfew. Then I went on to college and had a part time job both days at the weekend. Paid dig money from the age of 17, moved out at 20, yet my brother is 22, didn't get a job till he was about 18/19 and has never to this day paid a penny to my mum and dad 🙄. Think I just wanted a moan there 😂

Oh and I earned a bloody pittance for the hours I put in.

@JohnMcCainsDeathStare I remember the wages on the Job Centre boards in the late 90s pre MNW £50 a week £1.50 an hour

i remember posting about it on here years ago and got gaslighted told it never happened.

*NMW

I'm actually shocked at the responses on this thread. GCSEs are a hard slog??

YANBU to expect your daughter to find some work over the summer - full time might be an ask depending on where you live etc but definitely some part time work.

Great for pocket money, social skills and a taste of what real life is. I started my first Saturday job at 14 and have always worked ... pot washing in a pub was amongst my favourite !!!

No wonder there's so many 20 somethings bank rolled and living at home... (being complained about by those who enabled !!!)

I think all 16 year olds should be working part time. Skills learned early are so beneficial. Nothing worse than a temp turning up at 18 and not knowing how to greet visitors/ approach senior staff members or even make a cup of tea!!! The young people who actively sought work from young ages are more rounded and often more disciplined.

I really don't think it makes much of a difference if someone starts a PT job at 16, 17 or 18. In fact I have a friend who didn't work until she was 22 as her parents wanted her to focus on getting her degree. She went on to get a PHD and is very successful now (as well as being well rounded and disciplined).

I don't think any professional past the age of 25 puts a part-time job as a teen on their CV, I certainly don't.

@Drogosnextwife Sounds like a bit of misogyny at play there on your parents part.

Or Scapegoat Child Golden Child.

I got a job in a garden centre and started the day after my last exam. My dad insisted.

And yep you guessed it. Still had a curfew. Wasnt allowed on nights out with mates.

I'm actually shocked at the responses on this thread. GCSEs are a hard slog??

They are for the people who actually do some revision.

I think it’s a bit harsh to make them get a job. I won’t be expecting my kids to get one but each to there own

Probably a bit HelenaDove. He's always been babied.

Watch out when your parents get to old age then. He probably wont be expected to lift a finger there either.

Why a full time job? Part time should be sufficient to teach responsibility, fiscal management etc. Post GCSE, id think some down time is needed too.

I had a Saturday job at 16. Thankfully my parents didn't expect me to work full time - it would have totally interfered with the shag fest that my 16 year old summer holiday was. Happy days

I'm actually shocked at the responses on this thread. GCSEs are a hard slog??

Do you have any understanding of the current GCSE system? Yes it’s a long slog. You know, for those children who actually put in some effort.

Part time is fine at that age, full time is really harsh. I wouldn’t expect them to work FT until they’re out of education tbh.

My parents never cared whether I worked or not, even as an adult. I have always wanted to work though, from 14 I always had either a part-time or full-time job plus babysitting jobs. When I was at university I had a full-time job working nearly every evening and left with no student debts. I also worked through every holiday. It was very easy to get a job 25 year ago.

I will leave it up to DD when she gets to 16. She seems to like money and expensive things so she will probably have the motivation. I will let her make her own choices.

If it's about learning skills, understanding people and the workplace etc. why not encourage her to help out local charities? Loads of variety, and with flexible hours.

I think if this is solely about earning money then I think it's sad to expect a 16 year old to begin that burden. Obviously that's dependent on circumstances but I've not seen anything from the OP suggesting this is needed to supplement the household income.

There are so many ways to be productive that aren't just about earning money. She needs time to relax and dream too of course.

Seasonal work was really common amongst teens where I grew up because it was the Lake District, and it suited employers just fine to give a hoard of kids basically as many hours as they wanted, because they knew that there were plenty willing to take the work and they would all piss off again in September.

Even in those highly favourable circumstances for working all summer, it would be very, VERY rare for a parent to take a punitive attitude to work life balance.

I was stranded hours away from work personally, but I don't regret my constrained budget and opportunities. I have more than made up for it as an adult, but those carefree days of leisure are long gone!

YABVVU.

Won't be long and they won't be having those long breaks anymore. These are the last vestiges of carefree childhood. Don't take it away from the kids unless necessary.

I had summer jobs from 13 to 16 and honestly missed out on a lot with my friends as had to be in bed early, before i went to work i had to do housework because my lazy ass mother decided she was having the summer off since i was at home. I dont feel it helped me build character, had a little money but would have rather had fun than be stuckmin a shit shop all day