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My son is currently 11 years old. I started working in my family's business when I was 12, but my friends think that's too young to make a child start working. When do you think it's an appropriate age for a boy to start working and earning some of his own money?
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I don't think there is a set age. I'd say when he is mature and responsible enough to do so. Only you can decide that. Ignore what others say.Steve
* Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
* Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
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I think 12 is fine. And it probably depends somewhat on the child. Of course most people these days freak out about the idea. Heck, it was the "end of the world" that I worked as a child. I had no problem with it.
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Exactly. It's about the individual child's readiness, willingness, and responsibility to be entrusted with the job. Especially in a family-owned/operated business, I wouldn't hesitate to let a child start working for the business if he/she was mature enough to do so. Besides, it provides alot of opportunities to teach many lesons about life, money, & working hard.Originally posted by disneysteve View PostComment
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If there is a good opportunity available for your kid, that you think they would enjoy and grow from, then go for it. If it is just 'get a job' for a job sake, I would say wait a few years. I started working at 12 as well, at a horse farm, a few hours a week in exchange for lessons that my parents thought were too expensive. By the time I was 16 I was making 15 dollars an hour there as an instructor, as I had so much experience and everyone knew I was reliable. I loved my job, and I learned to save and to be a good employee. But if I had to work at the grocery store for 6 hour shifts, I probably would not have been so positive about the experience.Originally posted by thadsmom View PostComment
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Does your son want to work for pay in the family business? Is the whole family willing to support his efforts? It's been well established that boys are less mature than girls of the same chronological age so repetition and body language are important to DS.
Our sons were used to doing age appropriate chores and thought it fun and exciting to work for pay. They happened to click with a government sponsored program for teens who were challenged to operate their own 'business' for a summer. For those aged 13 for example, the program funded the cost of a light weight lawnmower & cart and offered marketing questionnaires to teach how to get clients. DS1 ran a successful Landscape/Holiday Care business for several years which was a huge learning curve for us all.Comment
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I got my first job a few months after I turned 16. I wanted a car and some of the freedom that goes with being a teenager, so I found a part time job working evenings after school and on weekends.BrianComment
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There's probably an age/readiness factor that only you as a mom can judge.
Us kids "worked" from a very young age, albeit just chores around the house, some paid and others unpaid. Payment was in the form of a weekly allowance.
In terms of working in "the family business" I don't see why that would be a bad thing. I don't know that 11 years of age you can add your child on to the payroll (I think the legal age is like 13 or 14), but I would think with the right mindset and maturity level, it would be great exposure for your kid to start helping little by little and getting to understand and think about day-to-day operatoins from his/her own standpoint as a child. (Mostly in the form of asking questions). Just remember, your child is still a child, so it probably comes with the expectation of lots of breaks, occasionally just doing something else, etc.
History will judge the complicit.Comment
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Thank you for all your opinions. I was freaking out a bit at all the negative reactions I was getting from friends, but I think it makes sense and will be a good work ethic lesson for him. I'm glad that my own thoughts were reinforced here.Comment
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I think just get used to it. It's our culture. I am jut bracing myself when it comes to my own children. Times are now so much worse in that regard. (It's hard to imagine it's worse than it was 20 years ago, but it is).Originally posted by thadsmom View PostComment
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I think it is more important to support his efforts to earn money if that is what he wants to do. A kid that doesn't want to work at age 11-12 may still be sitting on your couch at 25 eating chips and still not working.
Our society has become so much more protective of our children that most of the kids are learning necessary skills. You hear about folks freaking out to hear that an 11 year old child was left along at home. Horrors!! At age 8 I came home to the an empty house and found a note from my mom on what to do to get dinner started (I know it was then since she wrote it on the back of my report card for 4th grade!) By age 11-12 (8th grade)I was babysitting other kids. I loved earning money when I could.
I see no problems with a boy getting a job that is safe and appropriate to his intellect and physical and emotional abilities. Learning the family business is a terrific way to learn it especially if there is a possibility of him taking it over at some point. If it is you that wants him working and not his desire, then I would hold off for a bit, unless you have a big, short term job that he can help with that teaches him to help family/others when needed.Comment
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12 sounds about right to me. At that age I was helping out in my father's office, making photocopies and such.Comment
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My son started working at age 12 as a soccer referee. If you son knows sports, reffing & umping is a good job with minimal hours.Originally posted by thadsmom View PostComment
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