Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just say no. Your neighbor will move onto her next victim. She's not thinking about this as much as you are!

My daughter is 14, and no, she's not doing that sort of job. She has occasional pet-sitting and dog-walking gigs. My 19 year old son has a teaching assistant summer job and an internship. At 14 he wasn't working.

None of this needs to happen. Let your child enjoy her summer off. Goodness knows they work them hard in high school.

LMAO!

So your kids not in the 12 APs and demanding extra-curriculars crowd. Mine are. I want them to relax in the summer. I never had a job as a teen, and I'm a multimillionaire today, without family wealth. I have never understood DCUM's odd fixation of foisting work on children. If they WANT to work, fine. But if they don't, why? They'll have to spent the best decades of their lives working.

You can get into a great college without washing dishes and baking all summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son worked at age 13 as a junior umpire and was paid $25 a game. They could only work 23 or 24 games because once an organization pays an independent contractor over $600 they would have to report that to the IRS. If a child gets a 1099 they have to then pay taxes but on a w-2 a child can earn far more -it’s slightly above 10k and not have to pay taxes.

I would want my son taking the job you describe but necessarily because it’s under the table but it seems a bit sketchy. Just how many cakes and cookies is this lady selling that she would be able to pay up to $200 a day? That’s $25 an hour.
And notice the wording is up to $200. So is it an hourly rate? On commission depending on sales?

What state are you in? In Virginia under the cottage food law you can only sell at farmers markets or at your home. Not at fairs or festivals.

What happens if money comes up missing when your daughter is working at the booth or is robbed? What happens if the food can’t be sold for some reason or no one buys anything?

Then add to that the woman threw in there about helping in a kitchen. There is a reason there are age limits working in a kitchen. If a person is not paying taxes on a moderately successful business it seems like a strong possibility there will be an issue when it comes time for a 14 year old to get paid. Perhaps she likes using younger teens because they are easier to exploit.

+100

I'm surprised you're the first person who pointed this out. We don't know the neighbor and OP likely has her reasons for being concerned. The switch from "working the booth" to "helping in the kitchen [and doing the tasks that the neighbor doesn't want to do herself]" makes me think the neighbor is looking for a sucker who doesn't know better, hence she's asking about OP's daughter.

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t this similar to babysitting, dog-walking, and lawn services?

If kitchen safety is your concern, just say she can only help at the booth (if your kid wants to)

Anonymous wrote:My son worked at age 13 as a junior umpire and was paid $25 a game. They could only work 23 or 24 games because once an organization pays an independent contractor over $600 they would have to report that to the IRS. If a child gets a 1099 they have to then pay taxes but on a w-2 a child can earn far more -it’s slightly above 10k and not have to pay taxes.

I would want my son taking the job you describe but necessarily because it’s under the table but it seems a bit sketchy. Just how many cakes and cookies is this lady selling that she would be able to pay up to $200 a day? That’s $25 an hour.
And notice the wording is up to $200. So is it an hourly rate? On commission depending on sales?

What state are you in? In Virginia under the cottage food law you can only sell at farmers markets or at your home. Not at fairs or festivals.

What happens if money comes up missing when your daughter is working at the booth or is robbed? What happens if the food can’t be sold for some reason or no one buys anything?

Then add to that the woman threw in there about helping in a kitchen. There is a reason there are age limits working in a kitchen. If a person is not paying taxes on a moderately successful business it seems like a strong possibility there will be an issue when it comes time for a 14 year old to get paid. Perhaps she likes using younger teens because they are easier to exploit.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's fine for you just to say no, OP. But I don't think it's fair to interpret this as her taking advantage of your child. It's an opportunity, but one that you or your DD do not want.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why she doesn't find a high schooler? So for college recs one thing they ask you to do is provide the school counselor a resume of jobs and volunteer work. Is she allowed to list this if it's under the table or if she wants a job later in high school at a regular bakery? Are you close with the neighbor? Do you trust her not to take advantage?

Isn't there a certain amount kids can earn tax free where it doesn't matter if it's under the table or not? At that age I liked babysitting and would have enjoyed that more than doing dishes, baking, and sitting in the hot sun at a farmer's market trying to see stuff, but that's just me.

Anonymous wrote:OP: Do not allow your daughter to work for your neighbor. Your concerns are reasonable and well-founded.

FWIW I grew up among struggling families. Many of us have kitchen burn scars from having to cook our own meals at an early--very early--very, but most were got burns during their junior high school years.