Teen with a question for parents about getting a job
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Anonymous
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Hi, I'm a teen and I just came across this site because my mom posts here, so I was hoping I could get some advice or thoughts from other moms about something.
I just turned 13 and this year I was hoping to try to look for a job that I could do a few hours after school some days, or at least on weekends. But my mom does not want me to have a job because she says she wants me to "be a kid". To her the only appropriate job is babysitting, but she says it's not safe for me to be at a stranger's house at night so only for family. But, obviously if you're babysitting for family you can't ask them to pay for that. I was hoping I could get some ideas to talk to my mom about and maybe she would change her mind. A job is good for building responsibility and good habits, it will help me have a good resume for college or scholarships or even other jobs later, and it means I can start to save some money. So my questions are: 1. Would you let your teenager get a job? 2. If not, what are some reasons you would be against it? 3. Do you think there are any good reasons I can give to my mom that will have her reconsider? Without it being disrespectful or talking back, because that is not a good idea, and starting some sort of argument won't work anyway. Thank you for any comments! |
Anonymous
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At 13, I babysat but only people in the neighborhood that my mom could check out or knew through others. Yes, I would encourage my child to babysit Friday or Saturday evening or in the summer as long as I could meet the family or be around if there was an issue.
However, at 13, maybe you could volunteer or do something else that would be less concerning to your mom. |
Anonymous
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No, OP, sorry. I would not let a 13 year old get a real "job." You most likely can't, anyway, because you have to be at least 15 or 16 get a real job.
But I would let you babysit, do yard work and other things in the neighborhood. Why can't you ask family to pay? That's exactly where I would start, and then you can build a real babysitting business from there. You might have a special family rate, but in no way should you be expected to do it for free. When I was your age, back in the dark ages, that's exactly how I started. Within a year, I had so much babysitting work that I was farming some out to my friends -- a taking a quarter (as in 25 cents) an hour cut on the pay! Of course, this was back in the day that sitters made about $2.00 an hour.... Good luck! |
Anonymous
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My son is 13. Last summer at 12 he had a couple odd jobs for neighbors during the summer -- mowing lawns, watering plants, feeding pets -- while they were on vacation. This summer he has a volunteer job -- daily 8am-4pm for 5 weeks at a camp as program staff. While it's a volunteer position, my husband and I are paying him $50/week.
He has also taken the red cross babysitting course and we've told him he's welcome to babysit for neighbors or families we know through church. He hasn't had an opportunity yet (most people don't think of asking boys to babysit). As PP noted, a 13 yr old can't legally get a job other than these kinds of house/pet/babysitting gigs or volunteer jobs. I'd recommend taking the Red Cross Babysitting Course (you can do it online if you can't otherwise get to a class) and let those your mom approves of know you are available -- and what you charge (yes, even family should pay you) I think it's great for teens, even young teens, to work as long as it doesn't interfere with school, for all the reasons you mentioned. |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't ask family to pay, either, but they can give good references!
I would allow jobs for kids that are making good grades and being active. The kinds of jobs I would allow include babysitting/mothers' helper, yardwork, newspapers (if still done by teenagers!), dogwalking/sitting, etc. |
Anonymous
| You could be a "mothers helper" after school. Plenty of parents would love to have someone come over and play with their young children while they fix dinner and get ready for the evening. You could work just a couple of hours after school, and not have to be there at night. |
Anonymous
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I don't know what to say to your mom, but I agree with the PP who recommended volunteering. Here are a few good reasons why:
1) enables you to pursue your interests and ideas your way, but with real, adult world commitments. Much better for your resume and college letter, I think. Ex: Say you really like animals. You sign up as a volunteer at an animal shelter. At first, you help any way they need. Then you get an idea that would make the world a better place, like to start the program where kids read to homeless pets. So you talk to the volunteers and director, they want to see your idea come to life. Then, you may team up with another volunteer and figure all you need to make it happen, or you take it as a solo project and work to your goal bit by bit. The variety of skills you can learn just by working to make your idea come to life is limitless. Then when you go to look for paid work at 16, you can show employers that you are responsible, hard working, know how to solve problems, etc, etc. |
Anonymous
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I got my first babysitting job when I was 12 for people who lived around the block. The dad always drove me home at night.
The first time I went to their house just to meet the mom and baby, my mom came too. Now my mom came mostly to assure the other mom she would be home if I had any problems with the baby, and to basically show "Look, my daughter comes from a nice home and won't spank your baby or throw wild parties in your house." But you should have your mom come so she can MEET the neighbors and then they won't be strangers. It's FINE to work a little. As long as your grades don't slip, I'd let you. |
Anonymous
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You can be a referee.
You can volunteer at the local animal shelter. You can volunteer for Special Olympics as a Unified Partner. |
Anonymous
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I began working in a dentist's office, doing filing at age 14. 1999 ish. Now it's all electronic records!
Among my friends I was about the only one with a job. Everyone else worked at ice cream shops and stuff. I had to choose to quit the job or continue a favorite sport. I chose he job and regret it sometimes. |
Anonymous
I don't even know that reffing is permitted until 14. I would check, though (I can't remember when that started). The money is good and you control the hours. You have to take a course, though. I think 13 is a bit young, but I can see your trouble with babysitting. Can you convince your mom that you can sit outside of family but for the families she is friends with? They should be willing to pay. I know I always paid my friend's kids. |
Anonymous
http://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=393675 |
Anonymous
Well, you have to be older to have a real (outside of babysitting, errands, etc.) job under the law. And any employer willing to illegally hire a 13 year old kid is not someone I would want my kid anywhere near. So your mother has a point in that babysitting, etc. are the only appropriate jobs for someone your age. You are allowed to deliver papers at that age, but most papers nowadays are delivered when it is dark at 4 or 5 am, and by adults in cars. Pedestrian and bike safety are major issues in many neighborhoods around here, especially in the dark. Can you do jobs similar to babysitting? Are you a straight A student who could tutor? Are you experienced with animals--can you walk dogs after school? Can you volunteer? At the library shelving books, at the animal shelter walking dogs, etc. |
Anonymous
DC Stoddert is the best league to be a young referee in - good sportsmanship rules . They don't tolerate referee abuse and there's lots of kid refs for rec soccer games. |
Anonymous
DC Stoddert is the best league to be a young referee in - good sportsmanship rules . They don't tolerate referee abuse and there's lots of kid refs for rec soccer games. |