I have 2 sons, one is 18 and the other is 20. I also have a daughter, who is 14.

Of all my children my 14 year old has worked the most, my 20 year the least, and my 18 year old the hardest.

My 20 year old started his own business when he was about 10. He continued with that until he was about 16, when he went to work a traditional job.
At 17 he decided he needed to take some off of working, and spent a few years just hanging out with friends and being a kid.
Now this does not mean that he didn't ever "work." He did a lot of "odd jobs" made some money off playing his music, and even took up babysitting for a little while.
He did not have a regular day to day job, however.

My middle son is the hardest worker anyone has ever seen. From the time he was 10 years old he has been a diligent, hard worker. At 18 he works at a local grocery store 40 hours a week, and almost every day someone offers him a job somewhere else, I guess because they see him in there every day working very hard, while they see others slacking off.

My daughter began a singing career at age 6. She performed anywhere and everywhere she could, and still does. At age 11 she was offered a recording contract from a Major label, which she wisely turned down. She was smart enough to know that she wasn't ready to be that dedicated to her music. She didn't want to "have to sing" or to be bound by someone else's rules in regards to what to sing, or where to sing. She has offers all the time for "promotional gigs" or for agents to represent her, but at 14 she wants to sing, just to sing.
She went to work at a local thrift store when she was 11 as well. She also began waiting tables when she 12, at a non-profit organization that often serves dinners or hosts occasional luncheons. She usually performs somewhere at least once every week, and makes between $100.00 and $200.00 a show, to a 14 year old is a lot of money.

With all of that said I encourage parents not to discourage their children. If they want to work, and they can find somewhere to work, let them. If they don't want to or feel that they can't let that decision be ok too.
Each child is different. Each one will have his own direction that he wants to follow. As parents sometimes the best that we can is "get out of the way" and let our children try. If it doesn't work out for the child, then it's still a life lesson, and a growing experience.

Learn more about this author, Randa Morris.
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