Should Teens get part-time jobs during the school year or....

[dizagain]

I think it depends on how demanding their schoolwork is and/or how many extracurricular activities they are involved in. I do think teenagers should be doing something constructive with their free time rather than just 'hanging out'. My DDs will either be involved in sports, performing arts, school clubs, volunteer work, or have a part-time job.

I agree totally. I wasn't involved in anything other than church youth group as a teen and I didn't really work very hard in school - B's and C's and an occasional A with no work. SO, my parents forced me to get a job at McDonald's my junior year and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned the value of money, responsibility, and I had a blast! Heck - I met my husband there! I think that if kids are not involved in outside activities a job is the right choice and a summer job is right for all kids in my opinion. Those lessons are so important!

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks! Just when I think I know the college stuff, another thing is revealed. Sounds wonderful!
How cool for your son.

My dd is only a Freshman in High School, she is learning Spanish but wants to learn more languages. So I am starting to take it seriously.

I would take it seriously too, it's very competitive out there, especially in college. DS took Spanish in Middle School and continued it throughout high school, so he feels he can communicate with people who speak Spanish. It wasn't his favorite language, he's much more passionate learning the Asian languages!
Middlebury is for college age students, but something to keep in mind if she's serious about learning languages. In the meantime there must be some program for high school students, I'd get her started as soon as you can.
Not only will she become a great candidate for college admissions, but it's something she will have for the rest of her life!

 

[disykat]

and I had a blast!

I had to quote this because I think many parents discount how much fun a job can be. My dh worked for his self employed dad in high school and I always think he missed out. I wouldn't have wanted to make a career out of fast food, but I had a lot of fun at the Dairy Queen!

 

[Pigeon]

My kids will not be getting jobs during the school year, but will be expected to get summer jobs. I want them to concentrate on academics during the school year.

 

[punkin]

I'd get her started as soon as you can.
Not only will she become a great candidate for college admissions, but it's something she will have for the rest of her life!

My DD13 is taking French this year because only French, Spanish and Chinese are offered at her school. She also has a basic knowledge of Russian. She is very upset that she can only take one language in school or she would have taken Spanish as well. She is very good at picking up languages and is going to France for a week this summer with her Grandfather. They are planning to speak only French the whole week.

I have been looking for something like a language imersion camp for next summer but have not found anything.

 

[Lynn CC]

My DD13 is taking French this year because only French, Spanish and Chinese are offered at her school. She also has a basic knowledge of Russian. She is very upset that she can only take one language in school or she would have taken Spanish as well. She is very good at picking up languages and is going to France for a week this summer with her Grandfather. They are planning to speak only French the whole week.

I have been looking for something like a language imersion camp for next summer but have not found anything.

Your DD is so lucky to have the chance to go to France!
Sounds like a fun trip with her Grandfather.

Tell them no "cheating", speaking English LOL. At the Language School they take a pledge during registration, and they can no longer speak English the whole time they are there, only the language they are learning. That includes reading, TV, in your room with your roommate etc.

Sounds like the two of them are making there own imersion trip!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

In the meantime there must be some program for high school students, I'd get her started as soon as you can.
Not only will she become a great candidate for college admissions, but it's something she will have for the rest of her life!

Yes, this is what I am thinking. She does have a true passion for wanting to learn the Asian Languages.
I am going to have to do some serious study to figure this out.
Thanks!!!

 

[sharbear]

Here's a program for HS kids. http://clvweb.cord.edu/prweb/summer_youth_programs/default.asp

 

[Lynn CC]

Here's a program for HS kids. http://clvweb.cord.edu/prweb/summer_youth_programs/default.asp

I talked with Middlebury and they said they are partners with Concordia Language Village! The website is given above by Sharbear.

That program is for High School Students. They offer quite a few languages and I notice they have Japanese!

It's something for all those Motivated High School Students for the summer, I wish I knew about it when DS was in HS.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank You both so much, Lynn CC & sharbear!!! And thanks to the princesspumpkin for this thread!

Isn't cyberspace wonderful?

 

[budbeerlady]

I worked in high school once I turned 16 at a local greenhouse. We worked from 3:30 to 6pm nightly. If our grades were high enough we were allowed to work shippin 2 nights a week and friday night untill 9 pm. Then we worked Sat for 8 to 12 or 2pm depending on the weekend. We got paid $4.25 an hour but it was gas money (gas was .79 a gallon) and a little spending money. I dont think it hurt my grades, that early of a time would have been spent helping make dinner or watching tv.

I expect that when she is older DD will get a job, but it would be 2 -3 hours after school and not late.

 

[ead79]

I did not begin working until the summer after I graduated from high school. Then I only worked during the summers until I graduated from college. My parents’ philosophy was that doing well in school was my “job.” With my high school course load (all AP courses) and extra curricular activities (5 clubs, volunteering, plus church youth activities), it really would not have been possible for me to work on top of that. I typically spent 3-4 hours per night on homework, so that wouldn’t have left time for sleeping. During the summers I was very involved in church youth activities and spending time with my friends. Had I not done well in school, I think my parents probably would’ve pushed for me to get a job (to teach responsibility).

I know their approach wouldn’t work for every kid’s personality, but it worked very well for mine. I truly did approach my school work as my job, and I learned responsibility and accountability through that. I learned to handle many responsibilities at once and to prioritize tasks. Those attributes then translated over to my jobs and career as time went by.