Will you make your kids get a Part time job?

[mum2four]

Since there seem to be a few thread on what we will expect/will give our children lately, thought i'd bring this one up.
Will you make your children get a part time job when they are old enough or not?

Personally for me , no I won't. If they want to get one I will allow it, also if they they want to go to the movies etc with friends allot and want designer lable clothing etc they will need to get a job, but I won't force them to, the choice will be theirs. If they want extras they will have to work to get them or do without.

As an employer hiring young children I have found the ones forced to work by their parents just don't want to be there and call in sick constantly etc...so it really isn't teaching them anything except to hate working. I would rather they choose to do so on their own and make that commitment on their own. I had to work for any extras I wanted and the choice was mine, either I got a job or didn't get to go out and buy myself nice things etc....made me apreciate my job and always turn up and work hard so that I could get more shifts and more $$$$ :laughing:

I think working saturdays and 1 or 2 nights a week (depending on how well they cope with that and school) is fair enough, more than that would probably be too much though whilst still in school. If they ever want to leave school before year 12 though, it will again be their choice but with the stipulation that they have a full time job before they can leave school. JMO

[kymmy]

if they want certain things,
they should be able to pay out of their own pockets.
i think it is a good idea for older children to earn thier own money.
then thay can learn of responsility and the value of money
:thumbsup:

[Tea Lady]

I agree about the choice thing (I was desperate to get a job!) but my DH never had a job and I reeeeeeally wish he had had to. His mum just gave him everything he wanted or at least thought he needed and while he's very responsible now it used to drive me mad when we started going out that if he bought me something or paid for something it was with his MUM's money :eek: I don't want my kids doing that, plus I don't think we'll be able to afford to pay for everything they want anyway.

[elissas]

I'm a bit in between. I don't want to "make" my kids do anything, but want to raise them so they want to. I will certainly be encouraging them to do it and start to learn about money from their mid teens. Not in an pressurising way, but making them feel comfortable and not have any fears surrounding work or finances.

[Briannabear]

I wont make our children get a job, but we'll definately encourage that they do! :thumbsup:
I believe if they are forced to do it their heart wont be in it. However we can encourage them to give something a go. Thats what my parents did. They sat me down and had a talk to me. They worked out what I was interested in and it went from there.
I had 2 part time jobs as a teenager (mid week and weekends), but was never forced to do it. My parents were always there with great advice and encouragement though. I learnt so much in that time - it was invaluable.

[Ana Gram]

That will be totally up to DD

[MummyCharmzy]

I will strongly be encouraging them to get a part time job from aged around 16. I think its in there best interest to start working then for there future job prospects, to teach them about money and for them to gain some more independance.

Every child is different though and therefor I will not be 'making' them get a job, I will try to make it the most appealing option however.

[mum2four]

Yes that's another good point about experience. I would *prefer* my children to have a job while still young than just spend all their time studying and socialising, it tends to make job prospects when they are finished their education that much better. An employee will likely choose a person who has a degree and some real workplace experience at any kind of job than a person with just a degree IYKWIM

[RedPanda]

I will strongly encourage my children to get a part-time job. I had a job at 14 years and nine months (the earliest legal age at the time - not sure if it's still the same), and it allowed me to buy my car and other luxuries that my parents could otherwise not have afforded. Also, it helped me learn to save money. I won't make my kids work, but at the same time, I won't be buying them cars or stereos or anything. I believe having to budget and save helps establish good patterns later in life. But, as someone said earlier, I wouldn't MAKE them.

[nemosmum]

I would prefer it that my son remains jobless while his still at school, personally I found pt work when still at school distracting and put too much pressure on me.

I would much rather he concentrate on his school work and on having fun while he still can.

This does not mean he wont have jobs to do around the house, he will lol and he'll get an allowance for the extras he wants.

JMO:)

[misskittyfantastico]

If DD wants spending money for "wants" not "needs" and it doesn't interfere with her schooling then I'd be thrilled. I wouldn't force her though, teenagers are very skilled in passive resistance!

[CJJHRA]

My eldest has just turned 14, and he's thinking about it now.

[SassyMummy]

From what I hear - you have to work or go to school by law - I don't know when that commences...but I think it's a brilliant idea!

My daughter can get a job if she likes - but if she quits school then she HAS to get one. I'd actually rather she get a full-time job, but I understand she'd probably need to work her way up to a full-time job. Also - if she completes high school and then does NOTHING...then she WILL get a job. I'm not going to put up with her bludging because she's too lazy to earn her keep.

During high school though - it's up to her. I'm not going to throw money at her for things like movies/clothes/extras, so she can get a job if she wants to pay for those things. Sure, I'll help her out occassionally (I'm not a complete nazi)...but I won't do it on a regular basis.

The alternative to her getting a job to pay for these things would be working at home. If she has younger siblings, then perhaps looking after them would earn her some cash...or washing the car or whatever. I used to do that all the time during high school and it earnt me enough money to get what I wanted.

I won't be making up jobs for her though...if there's something that I need doing, she can do it for cash, but I'm not going to pretend something needs doing when it really doesn't.

I think kids working for their money is a good thing to teach - JMO. It's far better than kids learning that they DESERVE certain luxuries and that Mummy and Daddy will always be there to dish out the moolah whenever it's wanted. Screw that - my daughter will learn that she needs to WORK for her money!

[Mamaduke]

I will be suggesting that they get a part time job.
If that doesn't work...I'll march them down to McDonalds myself!;)

[nemosmum]

Oh no Mamaduke!!!

I worked at macca's while at school pt and I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy!!!

hey where did all the smilies go I cant do a shocked face or a HA HA face OMG!

[jessgray]

if DS wants a job i wont stop him but if he wants to leave school he will be getting a job.

[cjb/jbvd]

it depends on what my DS study load is like. if he decides he wants to go to uni, then year 11 and 12 will be spent doing alot of homework during the week. i figure that he can get a job on weekends umpiring/reffing sport to pay for any extra bits and pieces he wants. if he isn't taking on the commitment of study, then a part time job will help teach him responsibility, and how to live sensibly as he will have to start contributing to the household (10%of his pay, not alot really)

[ETsMum]

Yes - if they want to leave school/have finished school. While at school - it is up to them.

[Sarie]

I won't force them while they are at school, but if there are things that they want, say expensive clothes, phones, going out, they will have to pay for that themselves. Once they finish high school they will be expected to get a job even if they go to uni.

[Mamaduke]

Oh no Mamaduke!!!

I worked at macca's while at school pt and I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy!!!


When I've spoken to employers they have all said that they look favourably upon applicants who have worked at McDonalds...so you may not know it, but your time at Macca's might have worked well for you!