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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parent advertising their child on facebook for work.

76 replies

girlfriend44 · 10/02/2023 14:52

Amazed, came across a parent saying her preteen/nearly teen child was looking for work and did anyone know anything she could do to earn money as she didnt want her ending up on the streets?

why does her child need to work at that age and how can you just offer your childs services on FB to randoms?
Can you imagine all the people that could take advantage on this advert.

Poor child.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 10/02/2023 14:58

Maybe she meant she didn't want her out roaming the streets with her mates when she was willing to mow lawns for pocket money

Reugny · 10/02/2023 15:01

why does her child need to work at that age and how can you just offer your childs services on FB to randoms?

The child wants to earn their own money to pay for things. Not everyone is wealthy and children get more expensive as they get older.

Unfortunately for the poster of the message there are very limited jobs what a child under 16 let alone under 13 can legally do.

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 10/02/2023 15:01

Wheres the safeguarding?
Is 12 even responsible enough?
Is facebook the right place to ask?

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 10/02/2023 15:05

girlfriend44 · 10/02/2023 15:01

Wheres the safeguarding?
Is 12 even responsible enough?
Is facebook the right place to ask?

Of course it is.
When we were 10 we'd earn a couple of pounds by doing things like raking up people's leaves, washing cars etc.
that's probably the kind of "work" the parent is looking for.

pizzaHeart · 10/02/2023 15:07

I think this mum was more counting on advices and ideas
from friends and relatives how to keep her child busy in a useful and meaningful way e.g help at local coffee shop, walking dogs, feeding cats etc. I don’t think she’s expecting an offer from Amazon warehouse or something sinister.

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 10/02/2023 15:16

KnickerlessParsons · 10/02/2023 15:05

Of course it is.
When we were 10 we'd earn a couple of pounds by doing things like raking up people's leaves, washing cars etc.
that's probably the kind of "work" the parent is looking for.

Show quote history

things have changed since then,

wouldnt you check someone out to see if they have got a record or anything?

OP posts:
ForensicFlossy · 10/02/2023 15:19

I doubt that she is about to send her child up chimneys in random stranger's houses!

dottypotter · 10/02/2023 15:19

Its far to young and even if you did you'd do it through word of mouth not posting on Facebook. You cant be too careful. I wouldnt do that.
At 12 a parent should supply all you need.
Saturday jobs possibly come later at 15/16.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 10/02/2023 15:20

People do this all the time around here - I really can't see an issue.

Mum is hardly going to send their 12yo off with some random Confused

Johnnysgirl · 10/02/2023 15:20

KnickerlessParsons · 10/02/2023 15:05

Of course it is.
When we were 10 we'd earn a couple of pounds by doing things like raking up people's leaves, washing cars etc.
that's probably the kind of "work" the parent is looking for.

Show quote history

The days of Bob a Job are very much over.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 10/02/2023 15:21

The days of Bob a Job are very much over.

Not around here 🤷🏻‍♀️ kids are always doing odd jobs for cash.

fruitbrewhaha · 10/02/2023 15:22

She's asking for ideas, feeding someone guinea pig whilst they are away for instance.

otherwayup · 10/02/2023 15:23

@girlfriend44
How have things changed?
Do you honestly think the world was safe in the 'olden days'

I 'advertised' my dd on my Facebook page when she was keen to earn a bit of extra money.
She ended up with lots of regular babysitting jobs, she was really pleased and loved the extra money.

ColonelSpondleClagnut · 10/02/2023 15:25

Do you mean that the mum has actually posted an advert, on FB Marketplace or something?
Or do you actually mean that the mum has posted on her own FB feed (which is probably friends only), asking her own friends for advice and or odd jobs that her child can do?
Coz there's a bit of a difference between the two! 👀

Galarunner · 10/02/2023 15:26

I think preteen is a bit too young, but our local group is very useful for finding bits of work for teenagers, mowing lawns, paper rounds, baby sitting feeding cats etc. Often people are known to each other and help each other out. Its a modern replacement to card in a newsagents window. Any sensible parent would make checks first. I think the percentage of weirdos and potential abusers has been fairly constant throughout human history so I don't see why doing this more risky today than in the past.

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 10/02/2023 15:28

otherwayup · 10/02/2023 15:23

@girlfriend44
How have things changed?
Do you honestly think the world was safe in the 'olden days'

I 'advertised' my dd on my Facebook page when she was keen to earn a bit of extra money.
She ended up with lots of regular babysitting jobs, she was really pleased and loved the extra money.

was she 12?
Nowadays you have to have insurance to walk dogs anyway and babysitting is a responsible job too.

I think its dangerous advertising on FB.

OP posts:
Original poster
girlfriend44 · 10/02/2023 15:30

ColonelSpondleClagnut · 10/02/2023 15:25

Do you mean that the mum has actually posted an advert, on FB Marketplace or something?
Or do you actually mean that the mum has posted on her own FB feed (which is probably friends only), asking her own friends for advice and or odd jobs that her child can do?
Coz there's a bit of a difference between the two! 👀

Mum posted on her own FB asking if people had any work her daughter could do?

she said she didnt want her walking the streets is there no middle ground then?

Youve either got to be working at 12 or walking the streets?

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 10/02/2023 15:32

Maybe she doesn't have loads of random people on her FB, and it's the equivalent of asking aroudn friends and relatives with the bonus of it being less time consuming than phoning everyone individually?

Oblomov23 · 10/02/2023 15:32

Can't see the problem myself. OP seems to see danger where I can see none.

Reugny · 10/02/2023 15:34

Mum posted on her own FB

So it's people she knows.

Far safer than the card I saw put in my local chippy offering baby sitting services.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 10/02/2023 15:36

How is it dangerous to ask among family and friends (which is who most people have on FB surely?) if anyone has any jobs the kid could do to earn some cash?

There’s no-one on my Facebook I can think of that I would be concerned for any of my kids to wash their car or cut their grass.

Swiftswatch · 10/02/2023 15:36

I think its dangerous advertising on FB.

She’s not advertising on FB though, she’s asking people she knows.

You’re blowing this out of proportion.

DaveyJonesLocker · 10/02/2023 15:36

Tbh the only people on my fb are close friends and relatives so it wouldn't be a problem for me. But if you have hundreds of randoms then its a bit different

Ellie1015 · 10/02/2023 15:38

I suspect she knows her audience and happy for child to do odd jobs for facebook friends if reasonable. Likely aimed at people nearby.

I used to buy avon from local teen because i wanted to support their initiative.

itsnote · 10/02/2023 15:38

Meh, I had a 13 year old lad come round and do some gardening off the back of a fbook post. He was a little grafter