Does/ did your 14 yr old work, and where?

[TheLittleRoo]

My highly responsible, and motivated DS14 is ready to earn some extra money but we're having a hard time finding places that hire 14 yr olds.

I tried searching Google for places that hire 14 yr olds, but there's nothing that comes up. We tried grocery stores, but they seem to be looking for 17+, Blockbuster is 18+, restaurants are out, Target is 16+, etc.

Does your teen have a part time job, and if so, where? I know the economy is going to make his job search even tougher with adults competing for some of these low-paying jobs but it's worth it to me (and him) to learn the life lessons of 1) searching and 2) working in the "real world". I know he can mow grass and the like but I'd like for him to see what clocking in/out, having co-workers, dealing with a boss is all about.

Thanks!

 

[etraible]

My DD started working at 14. I was sick and tired of her being on her computer all the time, so I gave her a choice: sports, drama or get a job. She chose the job and got one at Dairy Queen. Now is the time to apply - they'll want their summer help soon. Good luck.

 

[mward73]

Our movie theaters hire 14 yr olds. He might have to go in and express interest/fill out the application, then follow up. Ours won't hire kids that just fill out an application and leave it at that - they have to follow up - call, go back in and ask to speak to the manager, etc. Not everyday or anything, but a few days after the application so the manager knows he's serious. I worked there when I was his age and loved it! Also have him ask at school - maybe someone knows who hires kids?

 

[dawnbu40]

How about starting his own business mowing lawns or something?

 

[Soon2B4]

When I was 14, my friends and I all worked at a banquet hall. We would mostly work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was fun b/c all of my friends were there so I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. They paid minimum wage, no tips.

 

[disbridemimi]

I scooped ice cream! And had a paper route, the ice cream was really fun, the paper route, not so much!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

When I was 14, I worked in housekeeping for a boarding school in the area that had research conferences during the summer. They always hired about 30 kids for the summer, between the kitchen, housekeeping, and the maintenance crews.

 

[jam217]

My son worked at an amusement park (Dorney Park in Allentown, PA) as a games stand operator.

 

[sunlover13]

caddy at the golf course

 

[tiggercrazy]

My DS is a little league umpire during the spring and summer. He plays on a team and then ump's the younger kids games. He makes pretty good money, too. He started last summer when he was 13.

 

[meggymouse]

Alot of nursing homes hire at 13 for dietarys aides. They work on the trayline and prep for food and dishes.

 

[Gillennj]

I was a caddy at a local country club, and it was the best job I ever had. The way it was structured, you showed up on whatever day you wanted to work and got on the list in the order of arrival. If you were motivated like I was, you could work as much as you wanted.

I realize this isn't "clocking in and out" but it is an important lesson in self-motivation. All caddies are "tiered" based on experience, and I was driven to get to the highest tier.

We were paid per round, plus tips, which were great, but it was a fairly affluent country club.

 

[bonbon]

The places I knew I could work at 14: local amusement park (as a runner, nothing cool), car wash (towel dryer). Thats about it. Jobs for the under 16 crowd are few and far between due to 1)labor laws and 2)the economy.

I suggest they start babysitting or their own lawn care business, etc. Start something yourself (it's what I did) and you'll have more fun. And as for the "boss" thing, the customers are the boss in this senario, and if the kid doesnt do a good job, they WILL tell others, affecting business. I think I was more motivated by doing my own business than I would have been working.

 

[CLR4321]

Few places will hire a 14 year old. My suggestion is to talk to your local department of labor office. Your DS will need a work permit anyways, and this should be where you'd go to obtain one. They would have an idea as to what local employers will hire a young teenager. Good luck!

 

[MizTink]

i don't know where you are but here in florida publix and winn dixie both hire at 14. most employers don't want to take them on because of the strict labor laws (penalties in they don't take breaks on time, etc).

 

[Shagley]

If you live anywhere rural, the 14 year olds where I grew up made money by detasseling corn.

 

[ZachnElli]

Rural area here and my 14 year old will be detasseling this summer. I did it when I was that age too. Some farmers also hire them to walk the other fields (bean fields) to remove large rocks that would damage their very expensive farming equipment. I know my brother worked as a ranch hand at that age, he did some pretty gross stuff, but it paid well!

 

[Uuaww]

I worked at the Snack Bar at my local pool... the next year I became a lifeguard.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Good old Burger King hired me at 14 - but I had a work permit from school I believe. We were on year round school (this was in 1980 or so) and we had two months off in the winter.

Chick-Fil-A here will hire at 14 also.

 

[kidzmom3]

i would suggest being a counselor in training at camp. It doesn't pay, you actually have to pay for it, but you might get a counselor job when you turn 16. Jobs for 14 year olds in MA is almost non-existent. Even a 15 yr old would have a really hard time finding one.