My Teens Are Getting Summer Jobs — No Excuses

Let me tell you, raising teenagers can be quite a financial burden. I have three teens who will all be driving in less than a year, and the costs just keep piling up. Have you checked the price of a (somewhat) dependable car lately? What about the expenses for just one year of college? And believe it or not, teenage girls eat just as much as teenage boys. My three kids can empty my fully stocked pantry and refrigerator in a single day!

Being teenagers, they love to remind me that it was my decision to have three kids in such quick succession, so I shouldn’t complain about the costs. While I acknowledge their point, it’s hard not to express my frustrations. Nobody’s perfect.

However, I’ve been making it clear to them since they were little that if they want the freedom to drive around with their friends or go to the movies without me tagging along, they need to get summer jobs to help cover their expenses. I firmly believe in this, and I am determined to make them work this summer, no apologies.

My oldest son has worked every summer since he was eleven, and I’m not talking about easy gigs either. Some years, he toiled in hay fields under the hot sun with his grandfather. He juggled two jobs the summer before he took his driver’s test, and by the time he earned his license, he had saved enough to buy his first car outright. The pride he felt driving it home was matched only by my own pride in him.

Now, my two younger kids will be following his example — at least, that’s my plan. I believe the lessons they learn from summer jobs are invaluable, especially when they don’t enjoy the work. Last summer, they spent time picking berries in a large field. My daughter washed dishes at a restaurant in the evenings, while my son scooped ice cream. There were days they didn’t feel like going to work and had to turn down invitations to hang out with friends. They often voiced their desire to quit and complained about the labor.

Yet, they also discovered the thrill of receiving their paychecks. I appreciated how having a job instilled a routine in them, getting them out of bed before noon. I also think it helped them grasp the value of money. They were less likely to waste what they earned compared to what I’ve seen them do with my hard-earned cash countless times.

Too much free time during the summer isn’t good for my kids. They thrive on structure, and while a little break is beneficial, I’ve noticed that a beautiful summer day often finds them lounging in bed and glued to their phones. With no obligations, they sometimes become unmotivated.

Through their jobs, my kids have also learned how important it is to find work that they enjoy. Summer jobs provide a fantastic opportunity for them to explore various careers and develop new skills. My daughter realized she didn’t like working in the strawberry fields but loved visiting the animals on the farm, which inspired her desire to work with animals. My youngest son discovered his passion for nature and gardening, transforming our backyard into a flourishing green space. My oldest son even found a love for plumbing while working with his dad during the summers.

Ultimately, working has helped my kids appreciate the rewards of hard work and the significance of money. Yes, they would prefer to have the entire summer off — who wouldn’t? But I know that making them work for three months each year is far more beneficial than letting them lounge around from June to September.

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In summary, encouraging my teens to take summer jobs is a vital part of their growth and development. Not only do they learn valuable life skills, but they also gain a sense of independence and responsibility that will serve them well in the future.

Keyphrase: Teen Summer Jobs

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