by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: May 15, 2009

When children hit their teen years, they begin to want more things. Most teenagers want the most expensive items they can find. Most parents aren't willing to just hand it over. It is good for kids to work. It teaches them about real life. There is nothing with earning the money to buy the things that you want in life. In fact, it gives people a great deal of satisfaction to know that they have paid their own way.

It might be a little hard to decide when the right time for your child is to get a job. Here are some tips to help you decide if the time has come:

Laws

There are laws that govern whether or not your children are old enough to work. Many employers will also make the decision for you. If your child is under sixteen in the United States, it will be nearly impossible for him/her to find work. Some states will allow fifteen year olds to work. But there are strict rules that the employer has to follow in order to hire them. This can be a hindrance to the business and therefore, minors aren't considered top priority hires for many businesses.

That doesn't mean that children underage can't find work. It means that the choices are very limited. This is the first consideration that you must take before deciding whether to let your child work or not.

Maturity Level

If a child is not mature enough to handle the responsibility of working a job, it is probably best to wait a while longer. A child can lose self-confidence if he/she can't keep up with the work schedule and school. Your child's work history will follow him/her throughout the years. Starting a job to only quit a couple weeks later won't look good on a resume'. A good indicator of whether your child can handle the responsibility is how he/she handles the responsibilities he/she has at home.

Reasons

A parent should always look at the reasons that a child wants to work. If the child wants the freedom to buy the things that he/she wants, there is nothing wrong with that. It shows responsibility on his/her part to want to do it. If it is because you want your child to get a job, there is nothing wrong with that either. Children need to learn the responsibilities of working before they are tossed out into the world.

Getting a job while he/she is still a teenager can teach a child how to do interviews, working as a team, saving money and the value of a dollar. Without these skills, you are leaving your child open to great disappointment in the real world. Teaching your children responsibility is one of your most important roles as a parent. Getting a job as a teenager is part of the teaching.

School

School should be the most important factor when considering when to let your child get a job. If your child struggles with school work or has a great deal of extra-curricular work, it may not be a good idea to let him/her work. A child's school grades are the most important thing. Learning the subjects necessary for real world survival and preparing for college should be the top priority.

There really is no set age to allow your child to get a job. Babysitting can be done by a twelve year old child who is mature enough to take care of children. Bussing tables is another example of a great job for younger kids. It gives them a little extra money, teaches them responsibility and gives them a sense of what it's like to work.

Watch out for the signs of the maturity level in your child. Take into account schoolwork and other activities. A part time job doesn't have to take up vast amounts of time. Taking all of these considerations in before deciding can help you make the right choice.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Hawkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.