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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Is your older teen working this summer? If so what?

133 replies

Trumporange · 13/07/2023 21:39

I'm curious - most of the dc we know who have just finished sixth form are not working this summer and I cannot get my head around this.
I worked from 16 onwards every school and then university holiday.

They have about three months off before heading to university. The majority seem to be travelling for a few weeks with friends and going on a family holiday and pottering about in between. Is this the norm now? Note most of these kids are from comfortable middle class families - not staggeringly rich but well off enough.

OP posts:
TenSheds · 18/07/2023 09:29

@Lentilweaver There's a company near us that offers private tuition, for all ages. They have qualified teachers tutoring adults, but employ a handful of sixth form students to tutor up to GCSE level (adult tutors are around as well). Openings for tutors for sixth formers are passed by word of mouth from existing postholders, when someone leaves or demand increases.

Comefromaway · 18/07/2023 10:40

My ds didn't work last year in between college and uni. He couldn't find anywhere willing to employ him. He did do 2 weeks with the National Youth Music Theatre & organised a charity cabaret performance. His friend did lifeguarding but generally most jobs in our area didn't want to employ students on a temporary basis, they wanted people who could work up until Christmas. Those who did have p/t jobs generally already had family members who helped get them the job. When he was at college places refused to work around college hours, they were offering 8 and 12 hour contracts but you had to be fully flexible.

Lentilweaver · 18/07/2023 12:28

Thanks @TenSheds . That's exactly what my DS is finding @Comefromaway

BackT · 18/07/2023 21:00

16 yo is serving breakfasts at a local hotel.
Really good wages at nearly £11 ph.

Very lucky to get in though through a friend of her dads.

Most others are looking but without much luck.

beckieeboop · 27/07/2023 23:20

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TooOldForThisNonsense · 28/07/2023 11:51

stayathomer · 15/07/2023 06:51

Was talking to mums about this yesterday. It is nigh on IMPOSSIBLE to get paid jobs now. We have people calling in daily and we had to stop even putting cvs on file. Even the places always looking for staff aren’t anymore. Lots of people volunteering which is great in a way but I feel for them too. Op this is more the way now, people who would have done ft jobs are now accepting pt leaving teens stuck. That and businesses can’t afford extra staff anymore. Kids who have jobs are lucky

maybe it depends on your area but my son and his friends all have jobs. My son is only 17 and has a great job in IKEA and left another job to go there.

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 28/07/2023 11:57

I have a 17 and 20yo DC. The 17yo has a job in a restaurant and is really enjoying it. The 20yo has two jobs, one in a clothes shop and one in a bar to earn money for their holiday with friends.

Axelotl · 29/07/2023 21:38

DD1 worked in a pub/restaurant as an 18 yr old, then the following year at a kids activity camp.

Trying to help get DD2 a job now. It is proving very hard. I too thought ppl were crying out for staff...

troppibambini6 · 29/07/2023 21:54

Dd is working in a foody market place in the wine bar. It's basically a big indoor market hall with independent food and wine stalls round the edge. She's worked in the market bit waiting tables for a couple of years but has recently moved to serving wine as she's turned 18 now and the pay is better.
It's quite upmarket and safe and last orders is 10.00 so she's home for 10.30. She has a car so no taxi fare either.
She is working as many hours as she can all of her friends have some kind of job over the summer.
She's also been to Portugal with her mates and to a festival. She's waiting for alevel results.

Twobigsapphires · 30/07/2023 15:30

My 17 year old year 12 dd has a part time job in a cafe and has had the same job for over a year. She works every Saturday during term time and picks up extra shifts in the holidays. Ds is now 20 and in full time work but he also worked weekends / holidays from 16. I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t encourage their teen to earn their own money as soon as they can. It promotes independence and appreciation for money, not to mention how hard it is for people to get work without any work experience.

LubaLuca · 30/07/2023 15:33

My 18 yr old works on the bar at a nearby fancy wedding venue. £15 an hour, decent meal during every shift and paid breaks. They're working 4 days this week, each an 8 hour shift.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/07/2023 15:44

My 17yo dd is working in a little kiosk selling coffee and doughnuts, it's not great money £7 an hour but will give her enough to cover driving lessons and socialising.

I think she'll earn around £500 over the summer.

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:46

Trumporange · 13/07/2023 21:39

I'm curious - most of the dc we know who have just finished sixth form are not working this summer and I cannot get my head around this.
I worked from 16 onwards every school and then university holiday.

They have about three months off before heading to university. The majority seem to be travelling for a few weeks with friends and going on a family holiday and pottering about in between. Is this the norm now? Note most of these kids are from comfortable middle class families - not staggeringly rich but well off enough.

What jobs would you like all these other people's children to be doing?
Where I live, no one is going to take on a 16-18 yr old for 6-8 weeks. Not worth the time of recruiting, training etc.

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:49

ineedatreat · 14/07/2023 18:39

My DS never had a job in his teens. Was busy gaming.... failed all his a-levels due to lack of effort. Has fallen on his feet with a £35k a year tech job! He is only 20 now. I didn't think he would get a job but have been proved wrong!

Things are indeed very different these days and we all need to realise that!

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:54

Stylinson · 15/07/2023 06:31

My 17 year old works on the turnstiles at a local football club (£11.95hr) and does football coaching (£10/hr)

My younger daughter would love a job but no one seems to employ 15 year olds

There are many laws and by-laws surrounding employing 15 year olds, as well as Insurance implications. That's why there are not the part time jobs that there used to be. Also most retail work is done by permanent staff not temporary. It does very from area to area tho!

toomuchlaundry · 30/07/2023 15:55

@sadaboutmycat I must live in a different area to you as many places around here are constantly advertising jobs suitable for students over the holidays

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:57

@YukoandHiro I thinks it's governed by location tbh.

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:59

I'm astounded by people on here recommending that unemployed teens go and work in nurseries.
For a start an enhanced DBS takes quite a while at this time of year anyway. But apart from that, do you think that the parents will be happy that their little ones have unqualified untrained teens who may not even like children looking after them?

Blowy · 30/07/2023 16:02

Ds had a great job in a restaurant but finished to do A levels

He has a good reference but is getting no where picking up work until university.

He’s applied for a fair few via Indeed but no response. Not sure what he’s getting wrong. He’s feeling a bit low about it all as wants to save £, any tips appreciated

He states on CV he left last job for A levels

Blowy · 30/07/2023 16:07

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:46

What jobs would you like all these other people's children to be doing?
Where I live, no one is going to take on a 16-18 yr old for 6-8 weeks. Not worth the time of recruiting, training etc.

Show quote history

I think this might be the problem

Upsizer · 30/07/2023 16:10

My 17yo works in local pub - started as pot washer and now does everything including cooking. She complains but sticks at it.

I actually think dealing with drunk people and rowdy men is helping her with resilience and customer care work!

toomuchlaundry · 30/07/2023 16:16

@Blowy many employers here advertise on local Community Facebook pages advertising jobs. Hospitality are continually advertising for jobs. DS works at a hotel and they are going to keep him on their books so can pick up work during university holidays

AngelsWithSilverWings · 30/07/2023 16:38

My DS has been a lifeguard at a health club since his GCSE year. He's just finished his first year of 6th form and is working most days over the summer. When he's back at school he will only do 8 hours a week. He is hoping he can transfer within the company if there is a one of their clubs near wherever he goes to Uni.

Axelotl · 30/07/2023 16:51

sadaboutmycat · 30/07/2023 15:59

I'm astounded by people on here recommending that unemployed teens go and work in nurseries.
For a start an enhanced DBS takes quite a while at this time of year anyway. But apart from that, do you think that the parents will be happy that their little ones have unqualified untrained teens who may not even like children looking after them?

The activity camp my eldest worked at , with kids aged 4 to 11 were very happy to employ teens as well as older ppl.
The parents may be shocked at the lack of experience many of the ppl working there had, but the camps are desperate for staff, and parents want them to run.

toomuchlaundry · 30/07/2023 16:57

@Blowy could your DS go round cafes/pubs/hotels and either drop off his CV or just ask whether they have any part-time vacancies over the holidays