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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Employment for 14yo

20 replies

MrsRochestersCat · 13/07/2013 15:00

How can DD1(14) go about finding a Saturday (or morning/ evening) job?

Paper round is out - it scares me.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 13/07/2013 15:09

Hello MrsR. DS1 was 14 last month. He has finally risen to the top of the waiting list for the local paper round once a week delivering the free paper. He struck lucky though and got our road and the next two.
He starts this Wednesday.

Not sure what else they are allowed to do at 14.

Original poster

MrsRochestersCat · 13/07/2013 15:19

Hello Sparkling!

I think I would be more comfortable with DD delivering the free paper, because there is no exchange of money so less opportunity for contact with weirdos (I know it is so very unlikely). My other concern with a paper round is that she has no self-motivation, I can foresee a pile of papers building up.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 13/07/2013 15:24

Funny you should say that MrsR but DS1's self motivation is not great and he has to get the papers out on the day after putting the leaflets in first. I will be watching with interest and trying not to be involved. At all.

twentyten · 13/07/2013 15:27

Dog walking?Babysitting? Card in local newsagents often works.

Original poster

MrsRochestersCat · 13/07/2013 15:28

Perhaps it will be good training for them both - how did DS get on the waiting list?

OP posts:

BackforGood · 13/07/2013 15:42

Not sure what's scary about doing a paper round. Both my older dc do / have done the weekly free paper delivery. They just push them through the doors, doesn't involve any more contact with people than walking home from school.
There's not much else out there for 14 yr olds, unless you just happen to know a neighbour personally who might be looking for a dog walker / pet sitter.

Sparklingbrook · 13/07/2013 15:46

There were rounds advertised in the free paper and he emailed about 3 months ago but didn't get those rounds but said they would keep him on file. They phoned last week to offer him this one.

Anything I should know about Back? 173 papers. how difficult can it be?

BackforGood · 13/07/2013 15:52

Well.......

ds had 218 (too many to fit in the trolley). That was an organisational challenge but mainly because he wasn't prepared to listen to any of the several reasonable and very helpful solutions I put forward. His round was also a couple of miles away and did involve me taking him and his papers there. tbh, I wasn't sorry when he finished.

OTOH, dd's is just at the end of the road. She only has 155, and it's fab as I don't need to do anything for her. Quite often, she will do half one day after school and half the next day (if it's rainy or too hot or she's going out somewhere)

Re the leaflet stuffing, dd1 sometimes employs her younger sister (who is anybody's for 50p) to do this bit

secretscwirrels · 13/07/2013 15:52

Big firms won't take anyone under 16, in fact usually they have to have officially left school even for a Saturday job.
Local cafes or small businesses might take a 14 year old. Neither of mine have ever found part time work other than the odd grass cutting / car washing.
Why do you want her to work? Especially if you are worried about her contact with adults?

BackforGood · 13/07/2013 15:53

MrsRochester'sCat We phoned the number inside the free paper, gave our postcode and they offered us a choice of rounds!

Sparklingbrook · 13/07/2013 15:56

Back his main worry is dogs and awkward letter boxes. He has already told DS2 he can help with the leaflets.

EduCated · 13/07/2013 16:05

I think legally she can waitress, but not many places take u16 as they can't go in the kitchen, so it limits what they can do, or that's how it was a few years ago.

She may also need an employment permit from your local council.

Sparklingbrook · 13/07/2013 16:08

I had to fill in something for the council for DS1's paper round.

BackforGood · 13/07/2013 16:29

Yes, I had to fill in a LA form for the paper rounds, and the school have to sign it to say it's OK too. There are restrictions over hours , but like secret and educated say, the restrictions on hours make it easier for most companies to employ older dc.
Sparkling - the first round does take quite a bit longer, as you work out where all the letter boxes are and how to unlatch any awkward gates etc. I will admit to doing the first round with each of them . dd says you get used to the dogs - she's got one house where she puts the tip of the paper in and it gets pulled in from the other side . Mostly though it's little terrier types barking suddenly that make her jump. Neither of them have ever had any real incidents. If ever they are worried, then just skip that house - it's not like the people have ordered the paper and are paying for it, probably 70% of recipients don't want it anyway especially the ones whose dog shreds it before they get home.

Original poster

MrsRochestersCat · 13/07/2013 17:09

The main reason I would like DD to get a job is because I wrap her up in cotton wool - she is fighting for some independence.

My hope is she will find being able to earn a little money empowering and may help her learn some more responsibility.

It looks like a (free)paper round is the way to go. There are a few independent restaurants locally, perhaps we will try those too.

Thank you

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 13/07/2013 17:13

Good luck MrsR. i think most 14 year olds are fighting for something or other most of the time.
At least while DS1 is out delivering papers he isn't shouting at DS2 or moaning at me.

BackforGood · 13/07/2013 22:46

Both mine have moaned "I don't want to do that tonight" many a time . But I think the lesson of 'doing something you don't want to do for x hours, means I can buy y' is a good one, and it's much more immediate and much more of a direct link than things like "do your homework / revision so you can get good exam results / a good job" type cause and effect things.
dd has asked a couple of times if I can buy something for her (as in, order it on line or pay with my card and she will give me the money) , and I've said that I will, but then when she's 'clicked' that it costs 4 weeks paper round money {or whatever} then she things the item isn't worth that much labour, and saves it instead. She's only 14, but is already asking me to save just £5 a month for her, for driving lessons She has a real 'feel' for value for money now - it's different when it's your own.

Sparklingbrook · 14/07/2013 09:27

Yes Back i envisage ant novelty wearing off but he will have to get off his arse and do it won't he? And the money will probably be spent to begin with then some saving will be done.

chenin · 14/07/2013 11:53

One of my DDs got some work on a farm at 14. (Farmer had done a maze with the corn and she sat under a shade selling icecreams to anyone daft enough to want to wander hopelessly round a field!) She then went on to washing up at the local pub... she was possibly just 15 at that point. Once she got the taste of independence and money, she couldn't do without it! Good luck, hope your DD can find something.

Annunziata · 14/07/2013 12:11

DD2 is 14 and is working in the hairdressers, she sweeps up hair and makes tea and coffee. She gets £4 and she thinks she's rich

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