Money is tight. Along with retirement funds, stocks portfolios and job opportunities, disposable incomes are shrinking. And no surprise. The needs and wants of a family are not. Along with the task of keeping your home life consistent, you may find there is pressure from your child to continue with life as he/she knows it. Teens consider cell phones, Internet, social activities, clothes and cars basic needs, not luxuries.
Understanding times are tight, your teen may be considering a job. The idea of a paycheck to supplement a shrinking allowance is tempting. "It will only be after school." "I'll get my homework done." "My grades won't suffer." "It will teach me responsibility." Sometimes this is true. Sometimes entering the work force as a teenager is not such a good idea.
A job is something that must be looked from all sides As a parent, how can you evaluate the pros vs/ the cons of a working teen? Below are some simple questions. Use them to help determine if your eager beaver is truly mature enough to handle both school and a job.
1. Does he/she get out of bed on their own and on time in the morning?
2. Does he/she say please and thank you?
3. Does he/she practice good hygiene? (without prodding)
4. Does he/she wear appropriate clothing? (this is not a fashion question, this is a common decency question)
5. Does he/she make appropriate and rational choices?
6. Does he/she own up to their mistakes?
7. Does he/she get along with adults and peers?
8. Does he/she follow projects and tasks through to completion?
9. Does he/she manage anger well or are they prone to temper tantrums?
10. Does he/she do their own laundry or iron their own shirt?
11. Does he/she handle criticism well?
12. Would you categorize your child as a worker or loafer?
(About.com)
(After reading the above list, I would have to say about 70 % of the under 18 work force would not pass the above test. )
Mel and I both believe that a high-schooler's most important job is their education. If you and your teen believe school and a job can be balanced successfully, great. Just remember, a minimum wage job now could result in a minimum wage job in the future if school, graduation and college are put on the back burner.
3 comments:
Another thing to add to the list, what does your teen want the $ for? Say, if it seems they want expensive jeans-not saving for college, say no to a job..........
school is more important.
It may be a moot point if the economy continues to go south. All those jobs teens currently hold may be grabbed by adults.
You're right. It gets worse every time you turn on the news.
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