DD13 to get a job or not to get a job??

[~clover~]

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)...

[Amity]

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.

Good luck.

[Mildez]

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.

[Mak]

Some other great suggestions were given about linking into existing opportunites which may be more age appropriate for her? I started out with netball umpiring and coaching, then babysitting for friends. It was great experience and once word got about I was busy as often as I wanted to be. Even odd jobs like dog walking, leaflet delivery may be a possibility?

[Heaven]

In general I would say 13 is too young to have a job. BUT in this case, seeing as it is her pushing for it and she is really keen I would let her.

[Phteven]

I would think that volunteering would be more age appropriate.

[Trillian]

I would be worried that because of her age she could be taken advantage of - under $10 an hour is **** wages even for a kid and employers abuse that because they know they don't have to pay them much, especially if there are no penalty rates etc. If they are shelf packing for example, they are doing the same work as an adult and only getting a fraction of the wage for it. I'm all for kids getting jobs, but that's something I would worry about. Just make sure that she knows she can tell you if she's not enjoying it etc. I would love for my kids to have jobs, but because of the education choices we've made for them (boarding school) it makes it impossible.