My teenaged daughters love expensive things: shoes, jeans, jewelry and a whole host of other things. Call me cheap, call me frugal, call me whatever you want but there is no way on earth I will spend seventy-five dollars on a pair of shoes. It's just not going to happen. Both girls asked if they could work since I wasn't going to buy them the things they wanted and I was all for it, with some exceptions.

The first thing I told them was their main job is high school. Working was a side pleasure for them to be able to afford the things they wanted but if they failed any of their subjects or got low grades they would have to quit.

The second thing we discussed was their availability. I didn't want them working after school during the week. They could only work on weekends.

Both have been working at the grocery store, one as a cashier and one as a bagger, since last Fall. They've kept their grades up and I think have learned some valuable life lessons. One was not sure she wanted to attend college right after high school. She's now rethinking her position on that thought. She's realizing this might be her only work option if she doesn't attend college. That alone is a great reason for letting them work.

They encounter many odd co-workers and customers and have lots of great tales to tell at the dinner table. I also think this will help them out in the real world later in life. Dealing with people, no matter what job they end up with, will be a bit easier for them than someone who had no early work experiences.

Understanding the value of a dollar will be easier as well. That lesson has already kicked in. I find it amusing when we go shopping and they check prices and decide something is far too expensive. My younger daughter will actually say, "Thirty-five dollars? That would take me six hours of work. Not worth it!"

For my daughters, working has rounded them out. They are learning to deal with life, how to balance their time and money and how sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. For my family the pros outweigh the cons.

Learn more about this author, Kat Apf.
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