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Original poster

Job for 11 yr old? Help

106 replies

JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 18:20

Posting for traffic :)

My 11 year old has wanted a proper job since he was 8 or 9 and this is getting intolerable now. He gets pocket money from me for odd jobs, but he wants "consistent work" apparantly! And wants a "proper job".

I tried registering myself for a paper round/delivering leaflets (he's too young, but I thought he could come with me and I'd give him the pay), but was told I was too qualified and they give this work to either unemployed or teens not someone who already has a full time professional job (fair enough)

I've suggested selling his old stuff at a car boot etc.. which he is going to do, but apparantly that's not 'consistent work' or a "proper job" and he wants something more long term.

He's becoming intolerable and talks about it every day. He now wants to do paid surveys online, but I've said no as I don't think this sounds like a good idea and is not safe (plus there is the small matter that you have to be 13).

Any ideas??? What can he do? (We don't know anyone he could dog sit or babysit for and I wouldn't allow him to do this for a stranger. Also don't think he's old enough to babysit. He wants to do something like deliver papers, stuff envelopes, or something manual and for an employer not friends I can muster up to humour him)??

Could he start his own business? Doing what???

OP posts:
stevalnamechanger · 26/07/2023 19:17

Also I'd pay someone to weed my front garden weekly ! Maybe he could offer something like that

Setyoufree · 26/07/2023 19:20

You could pay him to do jobs around the house.
If a local reliable 11 year old was willing to feed my pets while I was away I'd definitely pay them.
You didn't say if he's open to voluntary work or if it's all about the ££ - mine set up and run a tuck shop at their club - they have to work out what to charge, what types of stock to buy etc but the profit goes to the charity

Thelnebriati · 26/07/2023 19:24

Have you asked him where he got the idea of 'consistent work' from? Its quite unusual language for an 11 year old.

Jinglybangly · 26/07/2023 19:35

I am in the same boat with my 11 year old DD. We have agreed to sort the house out next week. Everything we want to get rid of we are going to put in the 'big box' in the spare room. Once the big box is full (won't take long!) we are going to ebay everything. Then next week do the same again. After that we are going to work out our profit and use the money to fund materials for her to make things with to sell on ebay and later at Christmas markets. This is going to be her 'shop' and once it is up and running I am hoping to be able to step back and leave her to it.

As your son seems to be more keen on physical work maybe get him to do something similar to start then set up a little work shop so he can make some woodwork things to sell. I'm thinking garden ornaments or wooden signs or wooden Christmas ornaments etc.

Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:37

Thelnebriati · 26/07/2023 19:24

Have you asked him where he got the idea of 'consistent work' from? Its quite unusual language for an 11 year old.

I thought so too! Not sure where he got it from and he doesn't seem to know!

OP posts:
Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:38

Setyoufree · 26/07/2023 19:20

You could pay him to do jobs around the house.
If a local reliable 11 year old was willing to feed my pets while I was away I'd definitely pay them.
You didn't say if he's open to voluntary work or if it's all about the ££ - mine set up and run a tuck shop at their club - they have to work out what to charge, what types of stock to buy etc but the profit goes to the charity

I actually like the idea of this. He does go to a sports club and they don't have a cafe. I think we could do something there together, just have to figure out the logistics! And if the sports centre will let us!!

OP posts:
Idratherbepaddleboarding · 26/07/2023 19:38

JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 18:30

Yes, I have tried explaining to him he's a child!! Though in his opinion he is perfectly capable of working a few hours on a Saturday, and to be honest I don't disagree!!

He wants to join the RAF when he's older (hope that's not outing) and that's encouraged him to stay sporty and focus on maths!! But he's not allowed to join the cadets til 13 (another frustration if his!!)

Yes, currently it's about earning money and having a "consistent wage" (don't know where he's getting the language from..)

Show quote history

Is your DS my DS from a few years ago?? DS actually went up to DH’s CEO at a bring your child to work day and asked for a Saturday job aged 8 😂. Not sure how he thought he would get to the head office in London from the north west every Saturday!

DS also wants to join the RAF and he was able to join the Junior Sea Cadets from 10 and then transfer to Army cadets when he went into year 8 aged 12 still (unfortunately we don’t have an RAF cadets nearby).

DS is 14 now and fiiiinally has been able to get himself a job in a cafe doing pot washing. He takes it very seriously and is loving earning money. He bought himself a Hugo Boss T-shirt today, I wish I could afford to buy myself things like that these days 🙈.

QuinnofHearts · 26/07/2023 19:40

How about charging his neighbours to take the bins in? A kid on our street does this, £1 a bin.

Cornishclio · 26/07/2023 19:41

Why does he want to work and earn money at his age? I am all for kids learning new skills and being independent at an appropriate age but the very fact he is asking you to do the mental load of working out how to achieve it makes me think he is not ready for that yet.

Is his dad a workaholic? Do you struggle financially? Is there some reason he has started asking now?

Maybe directing him towards DOE awards might give him something to focus on with an end result.

DaisyThistle · 26/07/2023 19:43

JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 18:38

I know, but feels counter intuitive to be angry with him for wanting a job and earning money :) if I could find him something, I would! I worked from age 12 and loved it. I kind of like his initiative, I'm just at a loss to help him.... I'd rather he stopped nagging because he'd found something, rather than I just tell him to put up and keep quiet...

Show quote history

but he is being unreasonable by not adhering to what he is allowed to do and insisting on only contemplating a 'proper' job. Explain to him that a huge number of people these days exist on the gig economy, freelancing a number of short term projects and suggest he sets himself a monetary target and looks at a range of ways to reach that goal.

One good way for now would be to offer his services locally via leafleting or local adverts, as a pet carer during the holidays. He could agree to go twice a day to a cat, feed, cuddle it and change its water. Same with caged animals. He could take them into his bedroom to care for them or visit in situ.

My DC fed guinea pigs and cats at that age.

fartfacenotfatface · 26/07/2023 19:45

My 11 year old buys things at car boots / charity shops and sells them on eBay for a profit.

Tilllly · 26/07/2023 19:45

Is there not a local chimney sweep? 😉

Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:46

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 26/07/2023 19:38

Is your DS my DS from a few years ago?? DS actually went up to DH’s CEO at a bring your child to work day and asked for a Saturday job aged 8 😂. Not sure how he thought he would get to the head office in London from the north west every Saturday!

DS also wants to join the RAF and he was able to join the Junior Sea Cadets from 10 and then transfer to Army cadets when he went into year 8 aged 12 still (unfortunately we don’t have an RAF cadets nearby).

DS is 14 now and fiiiinally has been able to get himself a job in a cafe doing pot washing. He takes it very seriously and is loving earning money. He bought himself a Hugo Boss T-shirt today, I wish I could afford to buy myself things like that these days 🙈.

Show quote history

Oh yes!! I think my DS is your DD!! ;) Good to hear how happy he feels now he can finally work, and how he takes it so seriously! :)

OP posts:
Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:51

Cornishclio · 26/07/2023 19:41

Why does he want to work and earn money at his age? I am all for kids learning new skills and being independent at an appropriate age but the very fact he is asking you to do the mental load of working out how to achieve it makes me think he is not ready for that yet.

Is his dad a workaholic? Do you struggle financially? Is there some reason he has started asking now?

Maybe directing him towards DOE awards might give him something to focus on with an end result.

Well he wants money - he is saving for some trainers, robux, a new sports kit, a water pistol, a new nurf gun, a hoody he likes, and a whole heap of other things! We aren't struggling financially, and he has all he needs, some of what he wants, though some things I encourage him to wait for a birthday! As although we aren't struggling, I can't spoil him. :) I think he just wants to earn money and use it to buy himself things. Kind of normal I guess... I used to like the feeling of buying myself things after I'd worked hard to earn the money, when I was young.

I'm a bit of a workaholic and we as a family value hard work. His sports club is all about 'hard work pays off' etc.. so I guess he hears this message from different sources. I don't discourage it as when he's older it will stand him in good stead, he's just a bit impatient to start earning yesterday (he'd have been fine 50 years ago, even 30 when you could get jobs at a younger age!)

OP posts:
Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:53

fartfacenotfatface · 26/07/2023 19:45

My 11 year old buys things at car boots / charity shops and sells them on eBay for a profit.

👍 yeah, I think we might go down that route. He bought a few things at the school fair recently he's put on eBay ... (not a great profit margin so far though, after the postage etc.. but he's getting better at pricing and trying to make profit).

OP posts:
Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:54

JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:46

Oh yes!! I think my DS is your DD!! ;) Good to hear how happy he feels now he can finally work, and how he takes it so seriously! :)

Show quote history

Sorry, I mean your DS!

OP posts:
Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:55

Tilllly · 26/07/2023 19:45

Is there not a local chimney sweep? 😉

😉😀

OP posts:
110APiccadilly · 26/07/2023 19:57

Do you have enough garden that he could grow and sell veg?

Original poster
JobsForKid · 26/07/2023 19:58

110APiccadilly · 26/07/2023 19:57

Do you have enough garden that he could grow and sell veg?

We could think about it! (I'm making a list from all these Mumsnet suggestions and will talk to him about them all on the weekend and see what he could try out..)

OP posts:
HollyBookBlue · 26/07/2023 20:01

Aside from making things to sell on Etsy etc, he could try resale... Spend a modest amount on shein or temu on items that he thinks would be popular. Then resell on Etsy, amazon, ebay. Depending on how you feel about it he could use Instagram or tiktok under your monitoring to promote and drive sales.

How are his IT skills? He could spend the summer learning how to use photoshop for example and then offer photoshopping services on Fiver for small businesses owners flogging stuff on Etsy!

He could make up fruit and veg boxes if you'd drive him to a wholesalers early in the morning and sell for profit via your local Facebook group.

Coronationstation · 26/07/2023 20:05

It’s unpaid but it could be a regular commitment to volunteer at parkrun or junior parkrun if you have one nearby.

strongcupofTea · 26/07/2023 20:08

I used to pot wash at 12 after school till midnight but that was in 1999 so things are abit different now.
Maybe he can set up an eBay or Etsy shop?.
He reminds me of myself at his age. I would make bookmarks and sell them outside my house when I was 9. He'll have a bright future if he carries on believing in himself.

NewChapterHelp · 26/07/2023 20:10

Reselling

dogsweetdog · 26/07/2023 20:12

dinmin · 26/07/2023 18:31

sign him up for market research focus group / interview type things. Great money and tight safeguarding restrictions and regulated by the MRS etc

He's not old enough for the majority of them and even people who are only get to do them occasionally.

ninjafoodienovice · 26/07/2023 20:15

Can he train as a football ref? They get paid from age 14 I think for grass roots football matches