My teenager loves working and making his own money. This summer he works at a restaurant and gets tips every night. He is saving for college so he won’t need an allowance like the college students in the college forum do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I think they're mostly wasting their time. If they need the money, there are more lucrative jobs (usually office jobs where you wouldn't see them). If they don't need the money there are volunteer activities that are more educational and valuable.

One of my kids has an office job this summer, making less than her BFF ice cream shop worker, who makes $19-$20 an hour with the tip share.

yep, my 15 year old is working at taco counter in a resort town and is making $20-24/hour with tips.
People love to see young kids work.

As someone who held a minimum wage fast food job as a teen, I guess it taught me that fast food is full of crazy drug addicts. I paid for my.driver's Ed classes with my fast food money, so that was something. I wish I'd spent the summer on classes instead.

I still can't eat food from that restaurant.

Anonymous wrote:No, I think they're mostly wasting their time. If they need the money, there are more lucrative jobs (usually office jobs where you wouldn't see them). If they don't need the money there are volunteer activities that are more educational and valuable.

Office jobs are what daddy gets you. I’d never hire a kid out of college who had never had a real job before. It says a lot about a person how they choose to spend their free time.

I LOVE watching my daughter work as a lifeguard at the pool!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The notion that kids need to work is a very middle class idea. MC parents think that low-wage, unskilled work is the only way a kid can “learn the value of a dollar.” They also associate physical work with “real work.” UMC people have every expectation that their kid will never perform such a job, so they focus on providing their kid experiences, further education/tutoring, and social skills.

Most UMC have kids work. You are not UMC.

This is not accurate (at least pre-college years).

Anonymous wrote:The notion that kids need to work is a very middle class idea. MC parents think that low-wage, unskilled work is the only way a kid can “learn the value of a dollar.” They also associate physical work with “real work.” UMC people have every expectation that their kid will never perform such a job, so they focus on providing their kid experiences, further education/tutoring, and social skills.

Our HHI is over 1m. My kids have trusts from grandparents. When they turn 16 they can get a job at McDonald's for money. Or babysit. I have been working since the day I turned 16, my first job was in retail and it was invaluable. UMC kids absolutely work.

I love seeing kids work too. I think a lot of those minimum wage jobs were meant for hs/college students, not to support a family on. I grew up pretty wealthy (500k) and I still had a summer job. I enjoyed it a lot!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The notion that kids need to work is a very middle class idea. MC parents think that low-wage, unskilled work is the only way a kid can “learn the value of a dollar.” They also associate physical work with “real work.” UMC people have every expectation that their kid will never perform such a job, so they focus on providing their kid experiences, further education/tutoring, and social skills.

Ok but for all families except maybe the 1%-ers, the kids will need to work one day. It won't necessary be at a low-wage, unskilled job but the kids will need to earn money. Professional jobs still have basic requirements: answering to a boss, showing up every day, working during expected times of the day, etc. It's painfully obvious which 20-somethings never held any kind of job before graduating from college or grad school.

+1
Plus, there's some value in doing an "unskilled" job (in quotes, because many of these jobs do require useful skills) and learning that such jobs aren't "beneath you."

My 15 year old daughter is working (babysitting and at a public golf course). While we cover her needs I think it is good for her to have a job, taking direction from someone else, managing her schedule and also spending her own money on things she wants. She came home the other day as two different individuals (golfers) commented to her that she is “a hard worker” and they wanted her to know that and also shared their observations with the manager. She was so energized to hear their comments and was on cloud nine the rest of the day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The notion that kids need to work is a very middle class idea. MC parents think that low-wage, unskilled work is the only way a kid can “learn the value of a dollar.” They also associate physical work with “real work.” UMC people have every expectation that their kid will never perform such a job, so they focus on providing their kid experiences, further education/tutoring, and social skills.

Most UMC have kids work. You are not UMC.

UMC kids scooping ice cream in a vacation town is classic summer job where you learn all of the people skills.

Yup. This is my niece on Nantucket. Scooping her way through college.

I have on friend who is a legit heiress ($100sM in the trust). Her oldest has started babysitting for pocket money. I’d expect that when she’s old enough she will scoop ice cream too.

Anonymous wrote:Don’t you love seeing young kids working and not playing roblox or doing TikTok? I’m in cold stone and saw a couple teens working, gave them a dollar tip each and told them I love seeing them at working and not playing Roblox

If you were that pleased you would have given them at least $5 to each.

Anonymous wrote:Aw, I love old people. Did you tell them not to spend it all in one place, too?

+ Grannies are precious.

Anonymous wrote:No, I think they're mostly wasting their time. If they need the money, there are more lucrative jobs (usually office jobs where you wouldn't see them). If they don't need the money there are volunteer activities that are more educational and valuable.

One of my kids has an office job this summer, making less than her BFF ice cream shop worker, who makes $19-$20 an hour with the tip share.

Anonymous wrote:The notion that kids need to work is a very middle class idea. MC parents think that low-wage, unskilled work is the only way a kid can “learn the value of a dollar.” They also associate physical work with “real work.” UMC people have every expectation that their kid will never perform such a job, so they focus on providing their kid experiences, further education/tutoring, and social skills.

What a deliciously wonderful and ignorant retort! Your plundering indolence shines more brightly than a solar noon reflection off freshly fallen snow. That you believe low-level physical and emotional exertion are experiences not worth having is a testament to your sloth and stupidity. My MC children will quickly push through, learn from, and extend their limits – ultimately and inevitably – driving into careers into leadership positions that run circles around your spoiled and underwhelming offspring’s paltry achievements.