In today’s economy, with the added expenses that occur during the holidays, teens and preteens may want to get a job outside of the home to earn extra spending money. You may no longer want or be able to hand over $20 whenever your child wants to go to the movies with friends or shopping at the mall. Having a job outside of the home can be beneficial for them to foster responsibility and also pay for incidentals. But there have to be signs your teen is ready to hold that first job.
Some teens want to be independent at an early age and may begin taking odd jobs such as babysitting, mowing or delivering newspapers as preteens. Motivated teens over 16 may take jobs as cashiers, working at fast food outlets or as nannies. Motivation is a basic key to determine readiness. If your teen resists getting a job and would rather hang out with friends and be involved in afterschool activities, then they wouldn’t seem to be ready. Pushing them to work will only result in frustration. However, by the age of 17, encouraging a teen to work may seem more reasonable to them and may result in more cooperation.
Basic skills such as dependability and showing up for work on time and not taking time off to go to a party or hang out with friends are also essential for success. Developing people skills, such as manners, patience with sometimes rude customers and being able to take criticism without arguing will also be helpful in holding a job. Apropriate appearance and clean attire are also crucial in making a good impression.
Dr. Elizabeth Carll is a licensed psychologist and author in private practice in Huntington and Centerport.
Foster Their Skills Parents can foster the necessary skills for readiness to work outside of the home. These include:
Dependability and responsibility. Encourage them to get ready for school or other activities on their own. Have them set the alarm clock to catch the school bus. If they’re late and the pattern continues, missing school or the activity would be a natural consequence. Getting to school on time is no different than getting to work on time.
Social skills. Getting along with people is an essential skill for most jobs. Limit arguing at home about chores and instead let them pay the price. If a shirt isn’t ironed then it will have to be worn wrinkled. Can your teen hold a polite conversation with relatives and adults? Asking their feedback about criticism and owning up to mistakes will help build self-awareness and defuse anger.
Neat appearance. Does she continually leaves her clothes on the bedroom floor so they don’t get washed? If she runs out of clean clothes to wear, let her go to school in whatever is in her room. Resist the urge to save the situation at the last minute. Concerns about what friends may think may also help provide the incentive to improve.
Blurb
Teens and preteens may mature at different rates. Some may be ready for responsibility and holding a job at an earlier age. However, if your teen appears less responsible, it doesn’t necessarily mean this trait will carry over into adulthood.
