My Kids wanna work what should I do?

Question

they want something to make them fell grown up? One of my kids acts older then her age she is waiting to be 18 so she can get a credit card?

Please give me advise and not junk

my kids are 10 - 12 years old

Answer 1

Well, at 10-12 it seems like a pretty good idea to get them to learn about responsibility and monetary value. They are way ahead most kids I've known through out my life. You can start by having them ask neighbors if they can help them with yard work or simple (age appropriate) chores. Just be sure you REALLY know the people they are going to work for. I am not trying to freak you out but just be aware about padophiles and strangers with bad intentions. In fact, have a talk about your kids about this sort of thing in addition to their interests in the world of jobs and such. Some things to try: paper route, mowing grass, pulling weeds, walking dogs, raking leaves, painting fences. If you are desperate to tag along... have them start their own mini business. For example, bake cookies, make treats, holiday crafts. Then ask permission at a local grocery store on the weekends to use their sidewalk. You can have your kids tell them they're trying to earn money for college or something responsible. This way, you can monitor their behavior, as well as approaching strangers. Let them do the sales pitch. It will teach them valuable customer service skills, money management, as well as how to sell a product or service and what is more popular on their local consumer market. The possibilities are endless!!! I only wish my Mom had let us do these type of things when we were younger. She didn't let us work until we gratuated high school, granted we were valedicorian and salutaorian. BUT, with no previous job experience, it was hard to get anyone to take us seriously!!! Have them learn now, so it's easier to get side jobs while they get through college. It's the best you can do to prapare them to be on their own!!! Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

I don't think there are many places that could legally hire a child that age. I'm sure there are some odd jobs they could do for either yourself or neighbours, so they could start to learn money management.

I personally would be most concerned with addressing the issue of why your daughter wants a credit card... She must think it can be used without any forethought and without working to pay it off; or at least doesn't have a handle on what they are all about and how a $100 purchase can quite quickly cost you $125.

I once read an article about children and credit... how so many grow up these days not understanding it... and much of it is because they never see their parents paying with cash anymore (the one thing they do understand)... they see the debit card or credit card getting pulled out and used, but they never see the cash getting paid on the credit card.

This is something that concerns me as a parent of a young child also, and I will be working hard towards addressing the issue for the next 15 years or so!

Answer 3

12,13,14 are ridiculous and 15 is bad. You are 14, you really can't be judging an 18 year old, an adult for having a baby Lol At 14 I thought I knew everything as well but when you're a few years older you'll realise that there is no point in calling people stupid or uneducated because they have a baby. People love picking on teen mums because you can see that they are pregnant. People act like it's a crime for a 17/18 year old to have a baby when there are probably thieves, rapists and possibly murderers walking past you in the street but since they don't have it plastered across their stomach you cant tell. Humans love feeling better than other humans and so, like you, will raise their own self importance by judging others.

Answer 4

Okay, you only indicated what age she wants to be, but not the age she is. So I would say it depends on why the child wants to work...have you all already discussed saving money and how to be responsible and contributing towards the household and little things they want.I find it becomes a different ball game once they start seeing that money roll in, they still expect you to do what you do for them but that they can do what they want to do with their money, and you shouldn't dictate how they spend it---there in lies the problem---they begin to think they are grown for real. So I would say if they grades are good in school and the attitude is okay, perhaps it would not be a bad idea to try it out; however they must remember their safety in going back and forth to work and remember none of the obligations at home are cancelled out so they have to learn how to manage their time between school, work and home. Does she understand what having a credit card means? does she know how "credit" works? tell her to strive for having $$$ in hand or bank to buy what she needs not a credit card that is charging you interest on something you purchased over 3months ago, tell her to look into investing---sounds like she could be a great entrepreneur if she doesn't like to spend as much or more as she makes

Good Luck

Answer 5

What a perfect opportunity for you to instill the work value in your kids! They can babysit, do yard work in the neighborhood, walk dogs, plant sit, work at a kids camp, etc etc. But one of the most important thing you can teach them is credit card responsibility. Those companies get them while they're young. This way, they can spend the next 30 years paying it off. Your can teach them credit card responsibility by showing them how you handle yours. Kids need to realize that nothing is free and life doesn't get better with the plastic thing. Good luck, dear!

Answer 6

Let them work and gain some responsibility. If they were my kids I would make them pay for their own clothes, or CD's or videos, makeup, etc. going out, etc. Then they will see what it's like and how hard it is to buy things. You could also allow them to get a job, but make them pay "rent" nothing major $25 or $50 bucks a month or something. When you get it put it into a savings account for them, that they can readily touch until college and it could be a little back to school bonus. If they see how good they have it now, they'll appreciate it once they have to work for it themselves. Tell them "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"

Answer 7

I started working as a paperboy when I was 10 and I've had some sort of work ever since (often I've carried two jobs and at one time as many as five) - everything from bartender to college professor to my current occupation as a firefighter/paramedic.

My philosophy is, if the kid is at work, they're learning the value of a dollar and they're not getting into trouble. It's good for them.

Answer 8

Washing cars, mowing lawns, babysitting are some ideas. I don't think they can get real jobs until they are 16. Have them do more things around the house to earn extra $$.
When a kid can't wait to get a credit card, that kind of bothers me, kids should have more education in school about money management, so many young people don't realize what credit cards can do to your life.

Answer 9

Let them, or they will rebel in some other way. Its a great way to let them be independent and take a big step into the real world. A credit card will only depend on if your child is good with their finances, which will be a test for them. You can rely more on your child going to work than going out partying.

Answer 10

Personally I think you should let them work. Its a good way for them to learn responsibility. (and as a mom I would explain the consequences of a credit card if not used properly).