Okay moms, dads and care givers it's time to let your little one grow up or it's time to encourage them to grow up. I know you think your preteen or teen is too young for a job but let me fill you in on a few things. When a youth gets a job it becomes a lesson in life, in fact it teaches many lessons, all which can be considered good. They will learn responsibility, gain independents and learn new skills. And, of course they will earn some money, learning that money is doesn't come easy, a lesson we should all learn.
Kids these days have the world handed to them, and that's okay but it's also important they learn the importance of responsibility. As most of us know we have to work hard to feed, cloth and shelter, these are things one day your teen is going to experience, so give them a head start.
No matter what age most kids beyond the age of ten can have some part time employment. When I was 12 years old almost 13, I got my first job as a dishwasher. Most of my friends had jobs too, some had news paper routs and others babysat. These are great jobs, for the older teen fast food restaurants and coffee shops are a great place to work. As long as you the parent (guardian) help your child find a legit job they should have no problems. You the adult has to set an example too, and of course give plenty of encouragement and assistance. Drive them to work, let them talk to you about work with out being judgmental. Let them use the experience as a ladder in life, and you let them climb.
I know maybe your worried about what your teen will be doing with the money they earn, well once again here is where you come in. Encourage and help them to attain a saving account, teach them to save at least 10% of what ever they earn. One day when they need a car, or perhaps to use for college it will be there. Maybe you can afford it all, than encourage them to save for a after highs school trip or just what ever, teach them the importance of saving, but also don't forget to let them spend. After all if they had to save every penny they wouldn't even want to work, I mean would you, unless you had too?
So is it a good idea to let you teen get a job? Absolutely! Beside they could find other non productive or even criminal ways to keep busy. Statistics show that teenagers who have a part-time job or participate in extra curricular activities have a higher rate of success in the future. Let them grow up it's really not so bad….
