persuade them to get a job - or not?

[tatt]

would you encourage you teenager(s) to get a job or not? Mine are doing well at school and have trouble fitting homework around their clubs/sports. BUT they don't do much at weekends. We aren't broke, we can fund them but I'd like them to learn you need to work for what you want. Should I encourage them to get jobs - what do your teens do? Some of their friends have jobs but generally if the parents are hard up.

I Encorage them to start looking for a job after they have done thier GCSE's/ It is not always easy and DD2 18 has just got her self a job. She has tried hard to get one before but then stoped as she had a lot of college work and was also busy reheasing for shows outside of college,

I think they can learn a lot about responsibilities and all sorts from a small job. That said, mine are like yours: rather busy and so don't.

Ds has put his name down for a paper round (14) because he asked for more allowance money and I told him if he wanted more, he would have to get a small job. He's got to wait for a vacancy now.

I feel a bit guilty about them looking as they have friends who need the money more. OTOH I like the idea of more responsibility and learning the need to work.

I agree with getting a job, as they really appreciate the money they have earned, and it also teaches them responsibilities like having to arrnge cover if they want a weekend off etc.

My DD works in an Education centre for 12-15hpw (2 evenings and a Saturday 10-5), and can earn over £300pm. She has made new friends outside of school, and it all adds interest to their UCAS forms / CV's.

It is also VERY handy for paying for her driving lessons!!

It is difficult around exam times, but she got 11 A*'s last year and is sitting 5 AS levels this term.

Yes, encourage them as they will start to learn the value of money - which should be helpful when they are students away from home. Both mine have had weekend jobs and juggled school work/social life/sports etc without too many problems. And their friends mainly had jobs too - and their parents weren't hard up.

As we live in a tourist area there is a lot of work for teenagers. Some of my DD's friends were working as soon as they reached 13 . DD says she might look for something in the summer holidays when she will be 14, but wants me to fix her up which makes me feel that she is not mature enough.

I was working in a cafe at 11 before the laws came in. What was my mum thinking letting me.

thanks for the comments.