To work or not to work      

Syndicated column from The Parent Institute

[OCT. 3, 2005]  Q: My son is a junior in high school and wants to get a job after school. His grades are just average, but I think a job might help him learn some responsibility. How do I decide if he's ready for an after-school job?

A: Having an after-school job can be a great learning experience. But your son will need your help to make sure he makes the right choices and that the lessons he learns from this experience are the right ones.

First and foremost, remind your son that school is his primary job! Then, as you discuss his getting an after-school job, consider the following:

• How many hours will your son work? Studies show that most teens can handle about 10 to 15 hours a week. Be sure to set limits. Let him know that if his grades drop, he must give up the job.

• Will a job keep him from after-school clubs or sports? Be sure he leaves time to include activities he enjoys and also time to be with his friends and family.

• Will having a job affect your son's financial aid application for college? You might want to discuss this with his guidance counselor.

One important lesson your son should learn from an after-school job is how to manage his money. Suddenly he will have a lot of money to spend. Now is a great time to set up some basic ground rules for managing the money he earns. Make it clear that he won't be spending every penny on DVDs and clothes. Help your son set both long-range and short-term goals:

• A long-range goal might be college or a car. That means he will need to save much of what he earns. You can help him learn the value of a savings plan.

• Help him set some goals he can reach in a shorter time. He might want a DVD player or a new computer. Have him put up a picture of what he wants so he can see it and be motivated to set money aside.

After he has determined his goals, your son will only have a small amount of spending money each week. There are many reasons why this is can be a good thing. Far too often, teens with extra cash end up being tempted by drugs and alcohol. Or they get used to a lifestyle they will never be able to keep when they're paying for things like rent and food.

Working and going to school is a balancing act. But with your guidance, your son's job can be a positive addition to his life.

[The Parent Institute]

For more information about helping children learn or to submit your own question, go to http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive a prompt answer by e-mail.

"Ask the Learning Advisor -- Ideas for Raising Successful Children" is a free, syndicated column from the Parent Institute.

Copyright © 2005, The Parent Institute.

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