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

[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.