Can Walmart make my son work Christmas Eve?

[mhsjax]

I was not rude to you. And I saw what you wrote BEFORE you edited this post and chose not to respond in kind. Definitely ugly and rude. I didn't laugh at you. You demanded in a lengthy diatribe that I point out the post which I (and Hannathy, as well, I noticed on my second read through) felt that you were saying that the parents should be setting up a ride for a 17 yo. I did show where people were getting confused although it was difficult since you've edited most every post you've made unless it was quoted.

And now that it's become clear that you're antagonistic on every thread, I'll steer clear.

The only thing I edited was something that I thought was way too ugly to post. So if you are accusing me of editing to make it look like I said something different, you are wrong. If I make a mistake I will apologize, but I never edit to remove something that may be used to prove I was wrong.

 

[mhsjax]

Hey....I was backing you up.

Sorry Lisa, yes you were. Thank you

 

[NMAmy]

The only thing I edited was something that I thought was way too ugly to post. So if you are accusing me of editing to make it look like I said something different, you are wrong. If I make a mistake I will apologize, but I never edit to remove something that may be used to prove I was wrong.

It WAS too ugly to post. And I saw it before you removed it. And I think it says a lot that you are not apologizing for your comments but are continuing in the same vein.

 

[mhsjax]

I did. I never made claim that they laughed AT the teen.

As it stands--I find it weird that folks would feel that on Christmas Eve that the teen would reliably be able to find a ride that would depend on someone's shift ending at the same time and having the means to take them home themselves.

But I guess others find the world more accommodating than I do. I never understood independence to mean dependence on others whom you are not related to.

I'm not saying arrangements could not be made--but I certainly wouldn't leave my 17yo to fend for themselves if I was the one that accepted responsibility to transport them places. Someone would be put out by that if it weren't me and I wouldn't expect others to pick that up if I am unavailable on a day like Christmas Eve.

FWIW--I did disagree with the original poster earlier in the thread and do feel that she needs to make alternative plans so that can meet her transportation obligations for her son. I wouldn't ask that he interrupt someone else's plans so that I could keep my own.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

What Lisa said sums it up for me. I never understood independence to mean dependence on others whom you are not related to. That sums it up way better than I am apparently.

See Lisa, I give you props. Thanks

 

[mhsjax]

It WAS too ugly to post. And I saw it before you removed it. And I think it says a lot that you are not apologizing for your comments but are continuing in the same vein.

Just what is it that you want me to apologize for, I will stand up for myself, I will defend myself.

 

[luvsJack]

Yes, sorry, my post was a little confusing/convoluted...
I have already corrected it where it sounds like it is your son being mentioned.

In a way, I can see what you are saying..
I am not trying to be difficult or contrary, or to flame anyone.

But, I think this, below, is where we just have to disagree.


I am sorry, but the implication that a nearly adult male must always depend on mama???????
Not one exception???

Perhaps you are not seeing how that is coming off????

And, try to tell a Corporation like Walmart that the employ that they hired and depend upon and signs the paycheck is not responsible for getting themselves to work.
A 17 year old who is old enough to have a drivers license.
Can take public transportation, carpool, etc....

I am very sorry if this comes as any surprise to you, but your arguments just simply do not fly.

Your son, who I am assuming is your oldest child, is still young..
Perhaps you are still seeing things thru that lense????

PS: My son, who is my only/oldest, is also turning 13....

Oh, for the love of all that is holy! Everything does not come down to a male depending on his mother! This has nothing to do with that.

But until a kid is 18 he or she is the parent's responsiblity. Period.

If Mom wants kid to work and doesn't want to help kid get a car, Mom needs to help kid get back and forth to work. If the bus is an option, fine. If not, problem. If kid CAN find a ride, so be it. If not, back to a problem. And Mom and/or Dad (again, NOT a mom issue here) should provide kid a way to and from work. If they are not willing to do that, they shouldn't expect kid to work.

 

[mhsjax]

I was not rude to you. And I saw what you wrote BEFORE you edited this post and chose not to respond in kind. Definitely ugly and rude. I didn't laugh at you. You demanded in a lengthy diatribe that I point out the post which I (and Hannathy, as well, I noticed on my second read through) felt that you were saying that the parents should be setting up a ride for a 17 yo. I did show where people were getting confused although it was difficult since you've edited most every post you've made unless it was quoted.

And now that it's become clear that you're antagonistic on every thread, I'll steer clear.

I have gone back through the whole thread, I really don't see where you showed people that they were getting confused on what I said. If you did and I missed it, then I do apologize but I don't see it. And it really bothers me that you seem to think I edit to get myself out of trouble with other posters. I am not afraid of confrontation.

 

[mhsjax]

Oh, for the love of all that is holy! Everything does not come down to a male depending on his mother! This has nothing to do with that.

But until a kid is 18 he or she is the parent's responsiblity. Period.

If Mom wants kid to work and doesn't want to help kid get a car, Mom needs to help kid get back and forth to work. If the bus is an option, fine. If not, problem. If kid CAN find a ride, so be it. If not, back to a problem. And Mom and/or Dad (again, NOT a mom issue here) should provide kid a way to and from work. If they are not willing to do that, they shouldn't expect kid to work.

Thanks

 

[luvsJack]

Thanks

You are welcome! I really don't understand what everyone else's problem is. I have never met anyone who didn't feel that their 17 year old was ultimetly their responsiblity. You can step back and let them try or let them try and figure it out, but it still comes back to the parent in the end.

 

[mhsjax]

You are welcome! I really don't understand what everyone else's problem is. I have never met anyone who didn't feel that their 17 year old was ultimetly their responsiblity. You can step back and let them try or let them try and figure it out, but it still comes back to the parent in the end.

Yeah, and speaking of stepping back, I guess I should. I have upset people,and I really don't like to do that, but I won't be misunderstood and it seems that no matter how many time I explain someone just makes it into something else.
I guess I take offense because everyone in my family and DH family are extremely independent, but we know that a kid under 18 is legally your responsibility if the child can't get something worked out, and like I said I was raised that you just don't put people out by asking for rides. Now, would I give a ride, sure 100% not a problem, I just don't want my kid thinking that he can depend on others for stuff. But both of my kids, are quite capable of arranging rides to stuff, they have done it. And usually I will return the favor by picking them up.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes, I believe they can make him work on Christmas Eve - if they so choose.. If he's not able to switch hours with someone else, perhaps you could change your plans for church and such to Christmas Day? Whatever you choose, try to take it in stride and not let it ruin the holiday spirit for you..

 

[phorsenuf]

Yes, I believe they can make him work on Christmas Eve - if they so choose.. If he's not able to switch hours with someone else, perhaps you could change your plans for church and such to Christmas Day? Whatever you choose, try to take it in stride and not let it ruin the holiday spirit for you..

hey C.Ann. Where have you been hiding? Haven't see you about. You ok?

 

[dogluva]

So what most of you people are raising are moochers. Can't get there with mom or dad, so I just call someone else to get a ride. NICE Make someone else take the responsibility of getting your kid to work. Snowflake parents. Parents that want others to do THEIR job. Adulthood is not depending on others to get you to your job, unless it is a scheduled carpool or a bus.

Every once in a while sure no problem or even a car pool, but you people make it sound like it is an everyday occurance, this is not acceptable.

Uh, my daughter is far from a "moocher". She has friend-that is what they do, they give and take. I have also given rides to those who need it. People help each other out, espcially family. I guess we are all a bunch of moochers in your eyes!

 

[disney1990]

Yes, retail works Christmas Eve. You think all those people that work at Disney World volunteer to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

 

[smidgy]

You know, if NO ONE shopped, dined out, went to the movies on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, this wouldn't be a problem. Stores and restaurants would close, or work with a thin skeleton crew, because no one would want to be there.

But as long as people want to take their family to eat at IHOP on the way to Grandma's, folks aren't done shopping on Christmas Eve (why does Dec 25 sneak up on us every year??) even shop and eat out on Christmas Day, there will be mothers, fathers, sons and daughters missing out on family traditions.

I've spent much of my young adult life working restaurants/retail during these holidays. And nothing burned me more than the whole fake-symapthy "sorry you have to work on Christmas" from customers too self-centered to realize if you were truely sorry, you'd have your pancakes at home on Christmas morning and not at IHOP. Seriously, did you know IHOP's busiest day is Christmas Day? And no it's not full from people who have no place to go, or non-Christmas people either

This year, I work Christmas Eve at Target. I'm a mom of 3 kiddos. I would love to have the entire day off, and my family would love to have me home. But traditions will get tweaked around, and we'll still have a lovely Christmas.

That said, you can bet your sweet booty that when I get Thanksgiving and Christmas days off, WE STAY HOME!!! It works both ways, if I don't want to work those days, I have no business asking someone else to cater to me at the stores/restaurants on those days too.

OP, since this upsets you, I hope you will think twice in the future before YOU shop at Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve, etc...

You know, if NO ONE shopped, dined out, went to the movies on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, this wouldn't be a problem. Stores and restaurants would close, or work with a thin skeleton crew, because no one would want to be there.

But as long as people want to take their family to eat at IHOP on the way to Grandma's, folks aren't done shopping on Christmas Eve (why does Dec 25 sneak up on us every year??) even shop and eat out on Christmas Day, there will be mothers, fathers, sons and daughters missing out on family traditions.

I've spent much of my young adult life working restaurants/retail during these holidays. And nothing burned me more than the whole fake-symapthy "sorry you have to work on Christmas" from customers too self-centered to realize if you were truely sorry, you'd have your pancakes at home on Christmas morning and not at IHOP. Seriously, did you know IHOP's busiest day is Christmas Day? And no it's not full from people who have no place to go, or non-Christmas people either

This year, I work Christmas Eve at Target. I'm a mom of 3 kiddos. I would love to have the entire day off, and my family would love to have me home. But traditions will get tweaked around, and we'll still have a lovely Christmas.

That said, you can bet your sweet booty that when I get Thanksgiving and Christmas days off, WE STAY HOME!!! It works both ways, if I don't want to work those days, I have no business asking someone else to cater to me at the stores/restaurants on those days too.

OP, since this upsets you, I hope you will think twice in the future before YOU shop at Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve, etc...

this makes NO sense to me at all! I am a waitress, will be working both Christams eve and Christams day (yes,I'm a christian)...

anyway, as long as I'm working, I WANT people to come and dine with us! since I am working, I want to make it worth my while! please, come eat at our Christmas buffet!!! please!!! (and feel free to tip me a bitmore, since I AM working the holiday! )

my family gets together another day, and there are plenty churches with services throughout the holidays.

many families have found it easier to eat out on Christmas or Christmas eve (no one is stuck in the kitchen all day).

but the days of "the Christmas Story", where the only place open on Christmas was a Chinese retaurant, are long gone.

if you work in retail, or in the restaurant business, you better expect to work holidays. (I am a mom and a grandmom, and I work EVERY Mother's day). if you don't want your teen to work those hours, there are not only numerous teens and college kids BEGGING for that job, there are numerous unemployed 50plus year olds Begging for that job.
teens and college age kids have had a tough time finding these seasonal jobs that used to be there for them, cause a lot of 40, 50 and even 60 year olds are more than willing to work them.
If I were a manger for a retail store or a restaurant in this economy, anyone not willing to work the holiday would give up their job for the person who is more than willing to work. It goes with the territory.
and I ENCOURAGE those who don't want to spend their whole day in the kitchen to pack up the cars, and take the whole family out to a nice restaurant for Christmas dinner (or IHOP, for Christmas breakfast). those of us working the holiday will be HAPPY to see you. (just remember us kindly when it comes to tipping!)
and, OP, it won't be long until your son will be spending the holidays at your DIL's family's house! maybe you always spent Christmas EVE together. and so does HER family. so you have to switch to Christmas DAY... OR the saturday before.
you have to GO along to GET along. be flexible. work around other families and work schedules. (our family is celebrating Christmas the day AFTER Christmas...so what? aren't we all going to be together?)

 

[smidgy]

sorry, I ended up somehow double quoting...oops!

my point being, in the retail or restaurant business, youknow going in , you're working holidays. If you dont' kie it, there are 40 (or more) people willing to take that job.

and, please don't tell people NOT to go to restaurants on that day. those working (even at Ihop) want it to be worth their while.

oh yeah, don't forget those working grocery stores. , and liquor stores, and gas stations, and toll booths. (and, of course, nurses, doctors, police, firemen, etc etc).

 

[smidgy]

. Crappy jobs are good for kids!

this post is worthy of the TAG fairy!!! best post of the year!!, both of my adult sons have good jobs now. both have had crappy jobs as teens. I backed up their managers, not them. you take the job, you need the money, you work the hours. you choose. you want off for homecoming, you risk losing the job (he lost the job, his choice, his consequences... he learned a valuable lesson)

and, I know comparing a Christmas Eve church service to a homecoming is stretching it (to a teen, the homecoming is FAR more important than the church service)

teens need to learn about life, and jobs, and starting at the bottom of the totem pole... esp. in this job market... you can't work the hours? there are 40 other people willing, ready, and able to do so.

 

[smidgy]

ok.. I'm guilty of responding before reading the WHOLE thread.

I had NO idea it had disintegrated into a totally OFF topic argument about car pooling, transportation,who drives kids to work, etc. etc.

funny, when you read the first page or 2 of a thread, respond, then go back and read it, how off topic it has become.

I do believe the original topic was "can Walmart make a minor (or anyone) work on Christmas eve". and that was what I responded to.
how someone GETS to said job is another topic entirely. (I assume if I hire someone for a job, they have means to get there.... not my business how)

I stand by my original responses to the original post. If you dont' want to work "holidays", for religious reasons or others, state so when you take the job. but don't expect to be hired in many jobs, esp. retail, or restuarant positions.

you are not the only person who wants those days off. we ALL want those days off. pay your dues. you might get the day off.. but then, you might be the first laid off.

case in point: another waitress insisted on having both christmas eve AND Christmas day off. she had "plans". I managed to finagle with my family to get together another day for our Christmas celebration (not an easy task, with 2 daughter-in -laws families, and visitation problems with a divorced son and my grandson).
a BIG party booked a work Christmas party last weekend, huge party!!(read.. BIG tip). guess who got to work the party? yup,..me! she thought it unfair.

everyone wants the holidays off. someone has to work. and we have a STACK of appliciations., as does walmart, of target, or Kohls, or Menards, Or APllebees, or whatever,

you don't want to work the job, or the hours needed? not a problem. I know a lot of people who are more than willing to work it.

I also believe that Jesus is the reason for the season. and I think He would be more than happy with you if you worked on dec 24 or dec 25, and prayed to Him and sang Christmas carols on another day. ( The Salvation Army is more than willing to accept your help ringing bells outside of Walmart on Dec 10, 11, 12 etc etc if your work schedule impedes you from worshipping on the 24th or the 25th.)

I used to be a mom of teens myself (they grew up! yay!) but their schedules, work and otherwise, will intefere with your "traditions" .. from this point onward. (and now, my schedule impedes on theirs!LOL!)

OP: if you want him to keep this job, dont' fight it. make new traditions. be flexible. the older he gets, the more flexible you will need to be. you don't need to be in a building to worship God. (Jesus gave his best sermon on a mountain)

 

[starwood]

DS works at the Disney Store and is scheduled to work until 7 pm Christmas Eve. The mall closes at 6.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Didn't this occur to anyone before he accepted a job there?
Did he ask for the day off and not get it?
Once my kids got jobs, normal Christmas Eve events changed around their work schedules.