Job for a 13 year old?

Question

My son has been homeschooled in the past, and wishes to go back to homeschooling, he is very mature for his age, and has wanted a job for the past couple of years, but with the child labor laws there doesnt seem to be much out there except maybe a paper route, which I dont find very safe anymore.

Does anyone know of any jobs for a boy this age? He wanted to volunteer at the local hosipital but you must be 14.

Please no advice on how he should be in school, we already know the reality of that place. And yes hes overly socialized, socializes better than his peers with all ages. And no he doesnt need to be bullied at school to know what the real world is like, do you let people bully you at work, I dont think so.

Since that is out of the way, just looking for some ideas for a boy who is ambitious and wants a job. He has worked with his uncle for a few years now in his HVAC business the old people just love it when my brother brings my son along. But thats only a few times a month

Answer 1

Check with the school counselor or with the school district administration office and ask for a Workers Permit Application. You will have to fill it out and sign it. I'm not sure if there's a fee for this. But send it to your State Employment Commission or Department of Labor(It would have helped if you let us know what state you were in).
Each time your son goes to apply for work,he must allow the employer to make a photo copy of the permit to keep with his application. Under federal law,you must be sixteen to work in most non farm jobs.

Answer 2

Hi there, we homeschool as well.

This very well may NOT work for you depending on where you live lol, but we're from the country and my crazy 6 year old has been wanting to pick up and collect cans on the side of the road. IT WON'T be a highway here though and that's why I said it depends on where you live. She'll be ridding the road of some garbage and getting paid a little to do it.

She does pageants now and I told her that's a great way for her to help pay her entry fees and buy dresses (she's not going to get rich, but she'll learn work ethic).

Also how about a grocery shopper for the elderly. You would have to assist of course, but maybe he could either go with an elderly person to shop or he could pick up their list and you guys go get the stuff they need. He could even make a little cash off the methods I listed, while helping and offering company.

Answer 3

My twin sons just turned 14 this year and could get a min. wage job if they wanted to. But they haven't because they own their own yard care business. They have been doing it for a little over a year and have built up quite a clientele. As far as I know there are no labor laws against a kid owning their own business. They learn a lot in the process because they are responsible for maintanence of their own equipment. They have started saving their money and have even talked about starting a retirement account!

If lawn care isn't something your 13 year old is interested in there are probably books at your library that tell about different kinds of home businesses he could start. I heard about a kid who started his own plant nursery. It grew so large he had employees.

Answer 4

Because of the child labor laws it may be best if your son goes into business for himself. It doesn't have to be anything fancy and it would teach him about marketing, accounting, and business strategy.

He could set up a business doing yardwork and mowing lawns.

If there is a grocery store within walking distance than he could set up a grocery delivery service (he can pull the groceries in a toy wagon or carry them in a basket on his bike)

Tutoring may be an option if he is good in a particular subject

If he is good at woodworking or some other craft he could look into the possibility of selling some of what he makes.

Answer 5

Well, I work at our local hospital and the local old folk's home as well as helping to teach swimming camp, working as a peer counsellor at a camp for disadvantaged city kids and helping on a neighbouring property with their lambing and shearing (and people still reckon home educated kids like your son and me spend all our time locked away at home with our books and our govies!). I am already 14 though so none of those things may be an option for your son yet.

How about baby sitting? Or dog walking? Or gardening? Car washing? Odd jobs/shopping for elderly neighbours? Or how about making something he can sell?

Answer 6

Mowing lawns, walking dogs, general around the house and yard stuff. Only with people you know, of course.

Also encourage entrepreneurship in your son. See if he has any hobbies that could be made into a small business. For instance, I know a family who's daughter wanted every kind of animal imaginable, now she raises chickens and sells the eggs. I also know a boy who learned to do some basic woodwork, and sells handmade signs for gardeners and address plaques. A good book for ideas would be "MAKING MONEY IN WAYS YOU NEVER THOUGHT OF".

Answer 7

He needs to decide what he's willing to do and make up flyers or business cards to pass around the neighborhood.
He can say yard work, carwashing, swimming pool maintenance, painting, etc. I'll bet if he proves to be a reliable hard worker he will have more work than he knows what to do with! Good luck to him.
My 13 yr daughter babysits and cooks since she has trouble finding any 'real' job. If he decides to try providing child care, it helps if he has taken CPR and first aid class.

Answer 8

If you live in a town or neighborhood which has small businesses or shops, I would suggest that he talk to the owners about part time jobs.
Hi might also check with your adult friends (whom you know to be safe) about dog walking, yard chores, etc. Especially the elderly or homebound.
It is not very likely at his age that he will find one full time job, but he could schedule several small jobs into his week.

Answer 9

Same boat we were in.
My now, 15 yo wanted a job so badly when he was 13.
He had to wait until 14, unfortunately.
A family friend also offered work, so can he keep helping out w/ the HVAC biz?
Can he mow lawns, clean out others' cars, wash cars, babysit?
Can he paint a fence, rake leaves, etc.?

The local library here, wanted teenvolunteers.
Would they consider him?

Answer 10

He can't work for any formal organization until he is at least 14, and 16 in many states, but he could start a business of his own. It could actually be a great educational experience for him. Is there something he can do for people that they can't do for themselves? A lot of kids mow lawns, babysit, and the like, but there may be other possibilities, especially if you live in an area with a lot of older or busy people. Can he help clean out cabinets for people that they can't reach on their own, or could he show people how to use their technology? I wouldn't recommend sending him into strangers' homes in some areas, but if you know your neighbors, it could work well.