How can a fourteen year old with an overprotective mother get a job?

Question

I am a fourteen year old male. I will be fifteen at the end of August.

Today I looked in my wallet. I saw that I only have $3 left. I decided that I need a job.

I looked on my state's law website. You must be fourteen or higher to work in my state. I am above the age limit, so I could gt a job.

Next, I went to my mother. I told her that I want a job and she said that she was proud, even though I doubt she actually was. SHe is the type of mother that thinks that everything bad that can happen will happen. I doubt I have ever been less than a mile away from the house while she was gone. She thinks that I will be stolen.

I gave her ideas and she shot down every one.

Newspaper Route: She said that our city already has a newspaper truck that does that.

Babysitting: I am too intimidating (I do agree on this one. I am a 250 pound 6 feet, three inches male)

Busboy: THey only make minimum wage (I do not care about minimum wage. I just want a job that pays me)

Continued...

Cashier at McDonald's: It is not a respectable career (Please remember that this is my first job we are talking about)

Dog Walker: There are no enough jobs to make decent money (I agree with her...wait...Let me go shout at those dogs that are barking in my neighborhood)

Cleaning: people do not hire male cleaners

Waitor: She does not want to go out of her way to get to her job. (She would have to drive me to the restaurant.

1. She gets to work thirty minutes before her job actually starts

2. There are about three restaurants on her way to work

3 There is a pizza restaurant less than one mile from my house.)

I eentually ran out of ideas.

How can I get a job with her controlling my life?

Also, I need a workers permit. She has not gotten one for me even though I asked her about six months ago for one.

Please note that the words directly after the job are her thoughts and the words in parentheses are mine.

Answer 1

First of all, I commend you on wanting to get a job!

Even though your state law might allow a 14 year old to work, it will still be difficult to find work. For instance, newspaper's rarely hire minors anymore, as the liability they could face is so high if the child is injured or such. You COULD babysit-especially for the children of your neighbors or parents friends, and this might alleviate some of your Mother's worries (and I am a mother-she has right to worry!). Busboy is another job that might not work out for someone your age, as usually to even go into the kitchen of a restaurant you must be 18 years old.

Here are some other ideas:

Does your household own a lawnmower? Mow lawns for the people in your neighborhood. Ask your neighbors if they need hired help cleaning up the back yard, etc. You will still be close to home, and you will earn money. As your mother sees that you are safe and responsible, her fears may ease (a little).

See if you could bag groceries at the local grocery store. They generally get paid minimum wage, but also get tips (busboys get tips also, BTW). You would be close to home, and in a relatively safe environment.

Ask her for suggestions of jobs that you could do-she will probably be glad that you want to enlist her help in figuring something out.

EDITED TO ADD: Some of the other answerers seem to be unaware, but the employment law varies from state to state, and not all states require work permits for minors. Federal law supercedes state law, so in the event that federal law and state law conflict with each other, federal law would take precedent.

Answer 2

Get a job close to your house so you can walk or bike.

Then, realize that this is not your career. You're going to get a job that is not respectable in the least.

And the babysitting thing doesn't sound like a bad idea. If I left my kids in someone's protection, a 6'3" male would sound like a perfect person to punch those kidnappers in the face.

Working personally for people tends to have a lot better pay than working for a company, but the drawback is that it doesn't look as good on a resume. Mowing lawns, walking dogs, babysitting, heck, you could even scoop dog poop for people and that would pay loads more than being a cashier or waiter.

Scooping dog poop from people's yards, in my opinion, would be the best job. You could drop by once or twice a week (whenever you're up to it) and scoop the poop up until it's gone. No, this is not a respectable job but they pay is pretty good and the hours are flexible as hell.

Answer 3

well, if you havent already, i would think that the best thing to do first is to try to explain why you want a job to your mom until she understands and agrees you can have a job. you might have to make some rules about what your job is, how far away it is, etc. since you said your mom is overprotective.

i don't know if you have a job fair where you live, but its a great way to find a job. at the fair there are companies that look for people with jobs and you can schedule an interview. however right now, usually they arent held. most of them are in late april or during may.

you can get a work permit at your high school. usually you arre hired at your job first then you fill out a work permit. without the work permit, you cannot work, but you need to be hired before you get one because the place you're working for fills out the work permit also.

remember to be open to anything that comes to you!

Answer 4

you're most likely not going to make anything other than minium wage at your age, thats just how it is. she needs to understand that. and you dont need her permission. she said she was proud, thats all that matters. tell her you want to learn to manage your money properly and that any job is a start. we all start at the bottom and work our way up (well, at least most of us do). there is nothing wrong with being a busboy. you can also look into being a host (you know the person who seats you), or you can work at the local mall, department stores are always looking for people. when my best friend started working, she was a cart rangler at the local super market, she then moved up to the person who loads them in your car, then the bagger at the cash register. she was about to become a cashier but moved to a pizzaria for more money.

and also remember that a lot of places will have a wage review 6-9 months after you start. where i am now, you are pretty much guaranteed a 3-4% raise after your first review.

my first job was at hollywood video (like blockbusters if you dont have them there). i started when i was 15 (in VA thats the minimum age and you need a work permit from your school, so check up on that one just to be safe). within 6 months i was being trainned as a manager, closing the store, doing inventory. they needed me and i was a good worker, and i got compensated well for it. hard work always pays off, so be prepared to show your new boss that you are worth it and that you can pull your own weight.

Answer 5

I know how you feel. I have an overprotective mother to. What you need to do is with a few buddies, pick up applications a places you could work. For each job application you get, write down the pros and cons. Pick three jobs that have at least a 2pros/1con. Present these to you mother. Talk to her in confidence.
As far as general jobs, tell her something along the lines of, "I'm becoming a young adult and you deserve to be respected as one. Also as a young adult, I need to take on responsibilities, like a job and chores." By adding in chores, it is more persuasive. Once you give this speech, you need to take action on the chores part to be even more persuasive.

Answer 6

First you need to re-look at the minimum age laws in your state.

While some states allow 14 year olds to go to work, the kind and type of jobs are limited for safety reason. Do this research with your mom. Once she understands that at 14 the state doesn't let you go out to be a coal miner, it may soften her tone a bit.

Then ask her to help you find a suitable job.

Its one thing to say, "I'm going to be a bus boy" its a whole other thing to compete against the 2500 applications at the restaurants that are willing to hire 14 yr olds. (Just because the law says they can doesn't mean they will.)

Your mom may be a worry wort, but she is looking out for your well being. She needs to be in on this, you need to badger her to help you find a job, but it will be up to her to decide what the job will be. (as in SHE needs to being coming up with ideas for you to shoot down)

Answer 7

Hey Young man, how about mowing lawns, is that possible for you to make a little bit extra money mowing neighbors grass who work during the week? It could be possible to make some good money if you can do it. By the way from what you say your a virgo, if that is true believe it from another virgo we are tough people. Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 8

If you have friends of your age with jobs then get your mother to talk to these friends' parents about it and she should be reassured by it. THis is an elaborate way of saying 'but EVERYONE else i know has a job'


i am 14 too and i have a friend with an over-protective mother but having been through everything with my 2 older brothers she is fine with everything that i do now so when something like your situation pops up, my friend deviously gets her mum talking with my mum about it.

hope this helps. good luck.

Answer 9

She's being stubborn. Ask her what type of job she would want you to get. That puts the ball in her court. Have you ever thought about working at a copy shop (making copies and such for people)?

Answer 10

Sounds to me like your mom needs to cut the apron strings, every job you listed is great. I agree who cares if you are only making minimum wage, your a kid. Just keep talking to her about it.