by Kathy Horstman
Tips for Navigating
Teen Jobs When my kids turned 13, we opened a checking account for them with a monthly allowance to spend on things that were not a part of our family budget. Going to movies with friends, a nicer item for sports, or eating out are all things that come out of their account. While their monthly allowance is reasonable, they would like a little extra spending money like most teenagers. So, once they were old enough, they started working jobs. Here are a few things our family has implemented around teenage employment:
1. Find a job that fits with their routine. My son plays basketball, so we found a flexible job that allowed him to take those few months off so he wouldn’t be overloaded. My daughter babysits, which allows her the flexibility to take jobs as she can. 2. D ecide how to spend the paycheck. Almost every paycheck for both of my children is split 50/50 into checking and savings. Sometimes, when my son’s tips are high, he gets to keep extra for spending. 3. S chool first. Extracurriculars second. Jobs third. In our home, school is their primary job. We felt that providing them with an allowance would permit them to be free to make good choices on what to spend their money on and not feel the pressure to work all the time.
4. D on’t quit. As most adults do, ensure they give at least 2-week notice if they plan to leave the job. It teaches them a responsibility they will need as they enter adulthood. 5. C ommunicate with your employer. Ensure your child is open and honest about what a work schedule would look like with their employer. Teach them to talk to managers and discuss expectations. Being a good employee is good to learn early. 6. F inal thoughts Having a job is an excellent opportunity for kids to learn life skills and take direction from someone outside their family. It gives them a sense of freedom when they have their own money to spend and makes them (sometimes) make better decisions on how to spend their money. l There’s more advice online! Find this story to read more about navigating teen jobs at www.thehoodmagazine.com.
