15 yo boy and summer

[Anonymous]

He’s just saying “no” to each idea—the camp he did last summer that he wanted to do again, camps for his sport, getting a job.

Any ideas about what is going on with him? How have other parents framed this subject?

[Anonymous]

That was a rough age for mine. He did get a job, but it was only Mondays through about half the summer. I told him he had to do something structured at least part of the summer. Sitting around wasn't acceptable.

So a part time job (although difficult to find)
volunteering as a camp counselor for a few weeks
Attending a camp for a few weeks
Summer school mini courses (Montgomery College)
And if none of those panned out, he would have a daily chore list from me. Not burdensome. Just to provide some structure.

There was still plenty of time to relax and hang out with friends.

The next summer, he got a real summer job and worked his butt off. I was very proud of him. But a lot of placed don't want to hire someone under 16.

[Anonymous]

Mine is a bit younger but prefers unstructured time in the summer. Past two years we’ve done 1-2 weeks of camp. He gets a max of 2 hours screentime and must go on a walk or bike ride each day. He loves to read so I don’t have to require that. He works very hard during the school year and is pretty introverted.
(I ama teacher so home in the summer which gives us flexibility)

[Anonymous]

Volunteering and CIT at a half day (9am-noon) camp. 2 weeks away at a pre-college program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He’s just saying “no” to each idea—the camp he did last summer that he wanted to do again, camps for his sport, getting a job.

Any ideas about what is going on with him? How have other parents framed this subject?

This is fairly typical. I pushed my kids into things - if there was nothing they wanted to do I made them apply to or signed them up for the thing they hated the least.
Other option is to give him a deadline - if he doesn't come up with a plan by a certain date, you are signing him up for something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He’s just saying “no” to each idea—the camp he did last summer that he wanted to do again, camps for his sport, getting a job.

Any ideas about what is going on with him? How have other parents framed this subject?

This is fairly typical. I pushed my kids into things - if there was nothing they wanted to do I made them apply to or signed them up for the thing they hated the least.
Other option is to give him a deadline - if he doesn't come up with a plan by a certain date, you are signing him up for something.

Thank you! great idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Volunteering and CIT at a half day (9am-noon) camp. 2 weeks away at a pre-college program.

wow! I had never even heard of "pre college programs." I just put into duckduckgo. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I told him he either got a job or volunteered or worked for me doing housework/deep cleaning. No exceptions.
He got a job and volunteered as jr firefighter

[Anonymous]

15 yr old should have a job to start saving up to pay for their car insurance. And to go out with friends. That's all my kid wanted to do last summer, and this summer gets a pay bump to be a supervisor for the younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Mine will be life guarding at our summer pool, doing summer swim team, and some SAT prep. Also band camp & hopefully a little volunteer work.

I agree with discussing acceptable options with your kid, then giving him a deadline to decide.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure he’s not interested in camps at that age, and I’m a big fan of some unstructured summer time, but not the entire day, every day.

So you tell him to come up with a plan and present it to you by a certain date.

My DD lifeguarded at 15 and really enjoyed it. But he’ll need to get certified and that takes some time and effort.

[Anonymous]

This whole thread is gold. What jobs did 15 y os get? Mine can't do lifeguarding or jr firefighting. Also not interested in small kids so no CIT.

What did the 16 yo do once they were eligible?

I will also look at pre-college programs.

[Anonymous]

What about summer school? In our district, summer PE is very popular since we don’t have exemptions for athletes (not in dmv anymore). Summer math to jump ahead in the math sequence is also a big thing.

[Anonymous]

My son made a lot of money mowing lawns last summer at age 14. He’ll do that again this summer while also being a part time lifeguard.

[Anonymous]

Saying no to getting a job is not an option. Either he decides what he'll do that will fill 40 hours a week that is productive, or the parents will. Sitting around doing nothing is not an option.