If your kid has worked as a lifeguard -

[Anonymous]

We are members at a neighborhood pool and most of the lifeguards are children of member families. Both of my kids liked it - they could bike to the pool and get paid to be outdoors. There is some stress but it wasn't too much.

[Anonymous]

OP here: DH & I have always thought of lifeguarding as one of those fun summer jobs for teens - and obviously it is for some kids - but thinking now we should defer to our kid’s intuition on this. He’s a pretty serious/responsible guy (especially during the school year) so probably needs something a little more relaxing (for him) during the summer. The swim instruction may be a good alternative - and just noticed there’s an upcoming training session + job openings at our local Y for this as well.

Thanks for your experiences and perspectives.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of jobs, your teen doesn’t have to want to be a lifeguard. Glad you’re willing to agree they don’t have to be one.

[Anonymous]

I was a lifeguard in Seattle as a teen (indoor, year round pools), and I made twice what my friends working fast food made.

I loved it.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your kid, the pool & their co-workers.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It really depends on your kid, the pool & their co-workers.

This

Mine was a lifeguard for 1 summer. While the tan was nice, my kid made more money babysitting and she t was less work.

[Anonymous]

If it is true that anybody is paying lifeguards less than fast food, that is a scandal. They don’t seem important until they are. Then they are extremely important.

[Anonymous]

I lifeguarded through high school and college. Best job ever. Senior year I tacked on the Pool Manager cert and got a large raise as well.

However, I avoided big popular pools. Instead I worked at tiny rooftop pools, small apartment complex pools etc. Some times I'd see one person from 10am-5pm and then a few professionals would straggle in.

Never had to rescue anyone, ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is true that anybody is paying lifeguards less than fast food, that is a scandal. They don’t seem important until they are. Then they are extremely important.

Our private pool was paying lifeguards minimum wage last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is true that anybody is paying lifeguards less than fast food, that is a scandal. They don’t seem important until they are. Then they are extremely important.

Our private pool was paying lifeguards minimum wage last year.

This. My kid made an abysmal $13/ hr last year. She was one of the senior guards. None are returning. People don’t realize how pathetic lifeguard pay is. This is an Arlington neighborhood pool with years long waitlist.

[Anonymous]

My DS is now a beach lifeguard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is true that anybody is paying lifeguards less than fast food, that is a scandal. They don’t seem important until they are. Then they are extremely important.

Our private pool was paying lifeguards minimum wage last year.

This. My kid made an abysmal $13/ hr last year. She was one of the senior guards. None are returning. People don’t realize how pathetic lifeguard pay is. This is an Arlington neighborhood pool with years long waitlist.

Ha! Probably the same pool!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is true that anybody is paying lifeguards less than fast food, that is a scandal. They don’t seem important until they are. Then they are extremely important.

Our private pool was paying lifeguards minimum wage last year.

This. My kid made an abysmal $13/ hr last year. She was one of the senior guards. None are returning. People don’t realize how pathetic lifeguard pay is. This is an Arlington neighborhood pool with years long waitlist.

Ha! Probably the same pool!

DP +1! I'm sure it's the same pool. Teens are finding jobs at Long Bridge or other pools where the pay is a lot better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is true that anybody is paying lifeguards less than fast food, that is a scandal. They don’t seem important until they are. Then they are extremely important.

Our private pool was paying lifeguards minimum wage last year.

This. My kid made an abysmal $13/ hr last year. She was one of the senior guards. None are returning. People don’t realize how pathetic lifeguard pay is. This is an Arlington neighborhood pool with years long waitlist.

Ha! Probably the same pool!

DP +1! I'm sure it's the same pool. Teens are finding jobs at Long Bridge or other pools where the pay is a lot better.

It is my kid's 3rd year and he is making $13.75/hr - the same as his girlfriend who is a first time guard. But he can walk to the pool and he has a whole group of friends working there + plus this pool isn't very busy so it is pretty low key.