My 15 year old worked full time in summer and on holidays and I let her work on Sundays (full 8-hr shift) during the school year. She was 15 going on 30.

Let her get a job.

I’m surprised by all the people saying there are no jobs for teenagers.

My 15 year old will be working at the neighborhood pool snack bar, but has been offered jobs babysitting and as a soccer day camp counselor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must be a troll post.

OP said nothing about why she thought it would be a bad idea.

This is OP. I thought I made myself clear but maybe not. She doesn’t need money so there’s no practical reason for a job, plus I don’t want her to spend her summer alone and not make friends.

Most jobs that hire 15 year olds also hire other teens. It's not like she'll be sitting at home behind a computer as her job. At her job, she'll run into other people, and potentially make friends, while also gaining valuable life skills. Filling out job applications, following up, going for interviewes - they all set her up better for her future than going to a sleepaway camp like she's a 10 year old.

My 14 year old DD has found work tutoring. In the fall, she will have a job working at a local farm. She is not a kid that needs to work (ever really), but she wil because it's good for her to be independent, generate her own income, and have the responsibilities that come with holding down a job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must be a troll post.

OP said nothing about why she thought it would be a bad idea.

This is OP. I thought I made myself clear but maybe not. She doesn’t need money so there’s no practical reason for a job, plus I don’t want her to spend her summer alone and not make friends.

Let her get a job. My father refused to let any of us get jobs when we were in high school- his view was that we shouldn’t have to work, because if we did, it meant he couldn’t afford to support us. I wasn’t even allowed to babysit.

I wish he had - I was jealous of my friends who did work over the summer.

She doesn’t have to work during the school year - but it’ll be good for her, and she’ll likely have more of a social life.

What are her friends doing?

Sigh. Another over involved mom over stepping and treating her like a toddler.

Sleep away camp sucks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should find a life guarding job. They will hire 15 year olds, and she’ll be surrounded by other young people. It’s a great way to make friends.

This. Not too many jobs available for 15 yr olds except lifeguarding. Most 15 yr olds don’t want to go to camp anymore. Mine had two jobs in the summer when he was 16. He still does years later. Lots of good lessons from having to deal with difficult people to how to manage your money. Win win.

It's so strange to me how often people suggest lifeguarding so cavalierly. Yes, it can be a great job for certain teens, but it's not just about sitting in a chair and telling people to walk. You need to swim decently and be ready to save peoples' lives.

Op's daughter may be an awesome varsity swimmer, who knows, but many a shy teenager who prefers hanging out in bookstores to socializing would not find that to be an ideal job.

She wants a job and this is what's available to her. Why hold her back? The test really isn't that difficult.

My kid once looked into it and it wasn't a simple process. Required some number of hours of training and passing a CPR test, swim test, and what not. Definitely, was not something that could be accomplished if one started today and expected to get a job this Summer.

Maybe it is easier/quicker in some states.

Calleva hires 15 year olds as paid counselors. She'll meet tons of other teens and I think they are still hiring.

Pools hire "gate guards" - teens that check people in and sell concessions. Another job where she'll meet tons of other teens.

Or, maybe accept that she's happy as she is and let her pursue her own interests.

You're really doing her a disservice by babying her.

My kids don't need the money either (most of DCUM doesn't), but they've learned life skills & matured; and made co-worker friends along the way - a win win.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should find a life guarding job. They will hire 15 year olds, and she’ll be surrounded by other young people. It’s a great way to make friends.

This. Not too many jobs available for 15 yr olds except lifeguarding. Most 15 yr olds don’t want to go to camp anymore. Mine had two jobs in the summer when he was 16. He still does years later. Lots of good lessons from having to deal with difficult people to how to manage your money. Win win.

It's so strange to me how often people suggest lifeguarding so cavalierly. Yes, it can be a great job for certain teens, but it's not just about sitting in a chair and telling people to walk. You need to swim decently and be ready to save peoples' lives.

Op's daughter may be an awesome varsity swimmer, who knows, but many a shy teenager who prefers hanging out in bookstores to socializing would not find that to be an ideal job.

She wants a job and this is what's available to her. Why hold her back? The test really isn't that difficult.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should find a life guarding job. They will hire 15 year olds, and she’ll be surrounded by other young people. It’s a great way to make friends.

This. Not too many jobs available for 15 yr olds except lifeguarding. Most 15 yr olds don’t want to go to camp anymore. Mine had two jobs in the summer when he was 16. He still does years later. Lots of good lessons from having to deal with difficult people to how to manage your money. Win win.

It's so strange to me how often people suggest lifeguarding so cavalierly. Yes, it can be a great job for certain teens, but it's not just about sitting in a chair and telling people to walk. You need to swim decently and be ready to save peoples' lives.

Op's daughter may be an awesome varsity swimmer, who knows, but many a shy teenager who prefers hanging out in bookstores to socializing would not find that to be an ideal job.

What 15yo goes to sleepaway camp?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must be a troll post.

OP said nothing about why she thought it would be a bad idea.

This is OP. I thought I made myself clear but maybe not. She doesn’t need money so there’s no practical reason for a job, plus I don’t want her to spend her summer alone and not make friends.

I made great friends through my high school jobs and had tons of fun. What you are saying does not compute.

+1. I worked retail in high school and made friends. Had a blast.

And as for not needing money, the experience gained is often invaluable.

Let her find a job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must be a troll post.

OP said nothing about why she thought it would be a bad idea.

This is OP. I thought I made myself clear but maybe not. She doesn’t need money so there’s no practical reason for a job, plus I don’t want her to spend her summer alone and not make friends.

I made great friends through my high school jobs and had tons of fun. What you are saying does not compute.

My DH sits on his company’s hiring committee. When they review applications, they never hire kids for internships without previous work experience.

Your daughter is doing exactly what teens should do at her age- seek independence. Don’t hold her back.

Anonymous wrote:She should find a life guarding job. They will hire 15 year olds, and she’ll be surrounded by other young people. It’s a great way to make friends.

This. Not too many jobs available for 15 yr olds except lifeguarding. Most 15 yr olds don’t want to go to camp anymore. Mine had two jobs in the summer when he was 16. He still does years later. Lots of good lessons from having to deal with difficult people to how to manage your money. Win win.