You Need a Job!

At What Age Is It Appropriate for Your Kid to Work?

The Hustle has been around for years. People have not been a stranger of making money since the beginning of time. It comes natural at some point in a child’s life to want things, and eventually, have their own money, so from asking their parents for pocket change, they start to ask their parents and grandparents to do chores around the house for money.

Usually, a parent would get tired of their kids asking them for money, so they give them allowances, money earned by doing chores around the house. I guess that would be fair, it teaches kids to work for their money. In receiving allowances, for the most part comes with being from a wealthy family, parents that usually have good paying jobs or make enough money (or at least some kind of money), to give their children allowances. Not to say that every wealthy family provide their kids with allowances, some parents are wealthy enough to give their children money but decide to hold on tight to what they have for the bills, or in some cases, support their habits, (such as cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, getting their hair/nails done, giving their money to their lovers, etc.).

On the other hand, not all kids are fortunate enough to receive allowances. Hence, there are families that are not as wealthy to afford to give their kids allowances, but they decide to give their kids what they have, to keep their kids happy, to see a smile on their faces, or to be a good parent. Whatever the case, they do what they can.

Whether you provide your kids with an allowance or not, it is a good idea to teach your children not only to work for you want, but to how to work, do chores, and certain things that they would have to do when they get older.

Working (or making money), has always been an important thing in life. It cost money for just about everything we want and need in life. Some parents teach their kids to work, and when they get older, they help them pay the bills before they get out on their own, or to work and save money in order to move out. It is important to have money, or work to get money, so parents should start early to teach their kids how to work and make money.

At What Age Should Your Teen Get a Job?

In reading, The Heavy Purse, “At What Age Should Your Teen Get a Job” by Shannon Ryan, CFP, the author answer what she feels is a good age for a teen to get a job. Ryan says that she was fourteen when she first started working. She also gives reason why teens should work, as well as provide benefits of working. She lists:

Benefits of Getting a Job:

• Teaches responsibility

• Manage their finances

• Develop people skills

• Develop communication skills

• Develop survival skills

In reading, “First Time For Everything: When Should Kids Get a Job, a Phone, a Date?” by The Harris Poll, the author says what most Americans feel is a good age for kids to start working. It says, “… Parents are likely footing the bill until at least age 15, when Americans agree a child is ready for their first job (15.5 on average). Until then, many kids may be able to rake in the dough from their weekly allowance, which Americans say should start at age 10 (9.8 on average).” According to the article, Americans feel kids should start working at least between the ages of 10-15.

While ten may be an early age for kids to work at a business, it is a suitable time for them to learn responsibilities of a job. There are a list of things young kids and teens could do for money, such as: doing chores for mom and dad, grandparents, and neighbors. Working for relatives and neighbors teaches kids to be social, yet close to home.

What Could Parents Do?

Parents should start at home by training their children to do chores, and eventually pay them for their work, by providing allowances that’ll teach them: responsibility (not all money is handed to you; it takes work to make money) and provide them the experiences and opportunities to learn skills to work outside the home. As the child gets older, they should allow their children to work for grandparents and neighbors, by shoveling driveways, raking yards, etc.

Later, parents should learn what it is their children would like to do and help them to find work near home to work at during their high school years, so that they could better prepare to make money-save money and to be able to move out on their own after graduating.

Jobs Teens Could Do for Money

Shovel snow

Rake leaves

Animal grooming

Grooming services (styling hair/doing make-up &/or nails)

Take out the trash/neighbors’ trash

Sell candy/snacks/baked goods/drinks

Start a sports or video game tournament/league

Babysitting

Dog/animal sitter

House sitter

Lawn mowing/lawn care

Home cleaning/chores

Car washes/detailing

Shoe Shining

Cashier/cart pusher at local grocery store/supermarket

Cashier/host/ Dishwasher/table waiter/ server at local restaurant

With the help of their parents, pre-teens, teens, and young adults could have so much to do to make money for themselves; they could even start as early as 8, 9, or 10 to learn to do things right at home. Giving your child that responsibility could prepare your child to be ready for the world, so get engaged in your kid’s life, and teach them to be the best workers that they could be. It’ll work out for you and the kids in the long run.

Question of the article

Parents: What are the ages of when you first started working? What kind of work did you do?

Teens (suitable of age to answer, or parents for them): What are some types of work you would like to do?

RESOURCES:

At What Age Should Your Teen Get a Job?

The Heavy Purse, “At What Age Should Your Teen Get a Job” by Shannon Ryan, CFP JULY 15, 2013. https://www.theheavypurse.com/at-what-age-should-your-teen-get-a-job/.

First Time for Everything: When Should Kids Get a Job, a Phone. NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-time-for-everything-when-should-kids-get-a-job-a-phone-a-date-300321636.html.

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