To Work or Not To Work

Avatar for jbgattuso
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Registered: 04-29-2003
To Work or Not To Work
33
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 7:37am

Another thread down below made me start thinking about this. A couple of posters said that they felt it was important for children to help pay for their education. I worked during high school part time and all through College part time, but believe me, my money was just extra spending money.

Our 16 yr old has worked all yr, but truely not more than 10 or 15 hrs a week, once again, just enough for him not to have to ask for money all of the time. Actually, I really don't want him to work too much this summer. I think that kids need a break in the summer....re-charge time. During the school yr, between school, school work, more theater, this last yr he played football too, there is no way my child could make a contribution to his college financially. Now, we are planning, I will be working to help get him through, and we do hope that he will recieve some scholarship money (we tell him that is how he will help).

I guess my point to this is that I would have to disagree with the fact that all kids should work to help pay for college (if they don't have to) We want him doing all of these extra things while he can...while he is a child.....work comes quickly enough.....

Soooooo Ok, do I really have my thoughts messed up on this one LOL

Julie

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Registered: 09-09-2006
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 3:19am

Thank you. The Naval Academy and any military school is definately not your average college. He is enjoying his first year, well as much as he can as a plebe. I can tell that he gets a little bummed that his friends at other schools have all of this freedom and get to party, but then he looks at his future. He automatically has a job when he graduates, will have an easier time getting a job if he choses to get out after the 5 years, and recieved an excellent education for free, kind of. No one in my family is in the military, but when he was younger he went to career day on a ship and fell in love.

Kate

Avatar for suzyk2118
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Registered: 07-30-1997
Sun, 05-20-2007 - 5:29pm

Thanks to both of you guys on the BSN advice. He's seriously thinking of it, and wants to go to SLU, which is right here at home, and seems to have a pretty good reputation. DH just got a job (again) with our local big hospital chain in IT, and loves it again. I help design ophthalmic surgical equipment - so maybe we'll all be in it, one way or another!

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2007
Sun, 05-20-2007 - 6:05pm

Hi, new here but I'd like to chime in. My 2 oldest dds (16 & 18)have both worked since they were 15. They pay for their own cells, clothes ( I help at the beginning of the school year), and car insurance. They both pull in excellent grades {{knock on wood}}. I've always allowed them to work within the limits of the labor laws. In my mind, the more hours the better to keep them off the streets and out of trouble especially since neither is involved in extracurricular activities. My oldest is going to college in Sept. and what she doesn't get in scholarships, grants...etc...will be her responsibility. Unfortunately, Dh and I were never able to save for any of our 4 kids college educations so if they want it bad enough they'll have to take loans.

My 18yo earned 9k last year working 3 different jobs and still managed to stay in the top 10% class rank out of 890 kids in her grade. ((proud mommy moment))

Ok I've rambled and bragged enough for a newbie but I guess I just wanted to say that whatever fits your families financial status will probably be the deciding factor on how much you'll want your kids to work and how college will be financed.

Kel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 9:51am

You made a good point about extracurriculars.

My middle one did ECs until senior year but the oldest and now the youngest have no interest. So, yep, working is their EC and, if they didnt, they would have nothing but time on their hands!

I also liked that they were exposed to a wide variety of ages, races, cultures, and personalities.

Avatar for jbgattuso
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 10:55am

Kate,
I'm sure your son is so glad he's almost done with his plebe year!! )ask him whats for lunch?) tee hee. He definitly will have a bright future ahead of him. I did want to tell you one thing, that My DH wished he knew. DH thought he was going to be career Marine Corps after comming out of USNA, but the way things turned out, he did get out after 5 yrs. The one thing that he felt no one thinks about is...yes, it is much easier to get a good job right out of the service, then right out of college, but....You are 5 yrs behind your peers in the civilian working world. For a very long time, younger men were his superiors...lots different from the military :) He was used to being saluted on a daily basis *grin* He finally feels caught up with salary, experience and responsibilities, but it was difficult for probably the first 10 yrs out. Does that make sence....anyhow, just something to think about when deciding wether to get out after 5 or not. Again, good luck to your son, and tell him Thank You for Serving!!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2006
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 9:35pm

Julie,

Thank you for the advice. As of right now he is thinking about making a career out of this. He talks of flying and one day becoming Admiral. I will tell him thank you for you.

Kate

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2004
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 10:22pm
I guess there are different expectations here. Kids do not have lots of time on their hands,if they do well in school. They generally do 3 to 4 hours of homework a night,if not more. And I am not talking about kids who are struggling. If they were working or over-extended in extra-curiculars, their marks will suffer.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 10:47pm

Oh, there are kids who do 3-4 hours a night of homework here as well but they arent living in my house!!!

And, on most days, I am okay with that!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2003
Mon, 05-28-2007 - 7:30am

I have found this subject really helpful...I have 17 yr old twins ...one dd who is a good student involved in activities and on her own held a job ,which did cause her grades to suffer and the hours weren't flexible so she quit but plans to go back for the summer...she wants to phelp pay for car ins and gas and wants good grades and realises she need to balance work to do that...She has realised her limitations , work vs school.

DS on the other hand has not worked and although has the same abilities just floats thro school doing the minimum"I will bring up grades on the final exams" is his mantra....He is on the go constantly ..plays in a band(quite good too) .

How do you all handle $...DD wants nothing from me ...I had to insist on giving her # to go towards clothes as she wants to do it all herself...DS uses tons of gas and gets a 20 dollar allowance a week which will not go far this summer :)...He is a good kid and has great kids for friends ..(I am a teacher's aide at the High School and Know how lucky I am) He also has a Girlfriend now and is rarely home...off with friends...any way any ideas on how to handle requests for $? in addition to allowance Thanks for all replies! Sue

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Registered: 10-16-1999
Mon, 05-28-2007 - 10:54am

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Among my 4 I've always looked at it on a case by case basis.