by Julie Sewell-Schmidt

Created on: March 10, 2008   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

As the parents of a 14 year old anxious to enter the work force, we've come up with some different opportunities she can embark on in addition to her steady baby-sitting assignments to help her generate some spending money.

When the traditional part-time jobs aren't convenient because of school obligations, extra-curricular activities, or lack of jobs available, teens can look at every day activities that family, friends and neighbors engage in.

1. If you live in a climate where it snows, your teen can offer to shovel and salt driveways and sidewalks for a small fee.

2. During the fall season, your teen can present a lawn/gutter cleaning service and even schedule recurring visits once or twice monthly.

3. Is your teen a shutter-bug? With a digital camera and an outgoing personality, your teen can advertise as an amateur photographer available for children's parties.

4. For the teen that loves to cook, preparing meals for a minimal charge can serve multiple purposes. The teen performs an activity they love doing, it provides some free time for the client, and the client gets a home-cooked meal.

5. Do you have a budding seamstress or tailor in your house? Basic mending and hemming is needed in more homes than you can imagine.

6. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. A simple housekeeping service can provide relief for working families who juggle career, family, and a home.

7. Expanding on the cleaning notion, our teen offers to clean the inside of my mini-van for $5. With a decent hand vacuum, paper towels and glass cleaner, your teen can earn some extra coin.

8. Reverse the baby-sitting idea and your teen can perform chores around a client's home while they spend time with their families. This goes beyond cleaning and can include watering the lawn, changing light bulbs, clipping coupons, organizing pantries and closets, and writing thank-you notes for birthday and holiday gifts.

9. For teens that really have a rapport with pre-kindergarteners, tutoring is not only fun, but emotionally rewarding. Practicing numbers, letters, counting, and writing with youngsters one or two hours a week can be enjoyable for all parties involved.

10. Crafty teens can create home dcor like wreaths and floral arrangements for clients for the price of materials and a low hourly labor rate.

These ideas should give your teen a good start toward earning some cash. Though your teen may want to pursue some or all of these opportunities, don't forget that safety is paramount. Below are some guidelines

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