If she wants to work, let her work. She may thrive or she may hate it and try again when she's older. I wouldnt do anything to discourage a kid developing a work ethic though. Good on her! It will teach her responsibility.
It will also be a good opportunity to teach her some financial skills, like saving. I'd say she can work if she agrees to put 10% of her net income into an untouchable, high interest, online account that only you know the password to.
That's a good idea L&B about the account. My friend's parents made there daughter save for a car and what she saved they matched it (she had been working for a few years then) so I was going to offer that to DD also. Id be happy to buy her one but she would get a better one if she could contribute a little herself. Maybe I'll tell her she can apply late this year and have the school Christmas holidays to have a trial. I did read somewhere that at 13 you cant work after 7pm which is good if its true.
I think part time work builds character and a sense of responsibility. As long as she can balance it with her other responsibilities (homework, chores, etc), it's a great idea!
My DD is 11 & I'd already love to send her down to the local supermarket or somewhere to stock shelves. To me I'd be happy for her to do it for free as work experience. I think kids need to learn what its like to have a job at a young age, to give them that work ethic. And so they appreciate things more.
If it was to happen & she was to get paid, DD would be not only putting in towards savings, but I would even consider asking for some towards the costs of living. Learning to pay bills is just as important as learning to save IMO (coming from an ex who just doesn't bother)...
I was refereeing basketball at 11 and cleaning the local church from 12. Started babysitting at 13 and then at Target at 14y9m. It made me very much more aware of how much things cost. My parents were raising four kids, with private school fees (think today's equivalent of $25K per year per child) on teacher's salaries, so there wasn't any spare money at all. In fact, I helped my folks out with money when I was in my late teens as Dad was unemployed and they didn't have $ for mortgage payments.
My kids will be starting a part time job as soon as they can, and we have set "rules" about their income, together as a family. They will be saving at least 50% of their own income, and when they want to buy a car etc (although my DS1 wants to buy a house first!!!) I will match whatever they have saved, as a one-off gift to them. So there's a huge incentive to save money and be responsible with their own finances.
I don't think 13 is too young, although it does depend on the individual child. I find children gain a lot of maturity when given responsibilities, including for their own money. I'd be a bit careful about what sort of work they did, though. Volunteering at the library, for example, wouldn't be a bad option for a 13yo. Depends on the child.
Motherclucker that's the position we are in. We have 3 but are trying for no4 and DD been the oldest will probably miss out the most if she doesn't earn some money herself when the time comes. We can pay our bills and the kids are at a private school and with braces there is nothing left for a lot of luxuries. I don't think DD would be keen on volunteering unless there was an incentive to do so. I also think it would help cure her boredom. But on the other hand she is very young.
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