Kids and summer jobs
- 8. • It’s always best to talk to a potential employer in person, face‐to‐face if possible, or at
least on the phone. Coach your child, but DON’T do it for them. They should follow up
the contact with a short call or card a few days after the interview, stating how much
they appreciated the chance to talk to the potential employer and to learn about their
business or needs. This is a good idea even if they don’t get a job.
• Conservative, neat, clean, and tidy will always win jobs over garish, loud, dirty, torn, or
immodest dress and makeup. Your child should appear at the interview early and with
all the paperwork needed.
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- 10. • NEVER assign a job, even a simple one, without ample instruction and example. Then do
the job together with your son or daughter until they have it down. Even then, don’t
assume they have it perfect. You are training them for a lifetime. Stay close by, help
them as needed, correct them gently and with a smile when required, and assure that
they reach the satisfying conclusion of a job‐well‐done. And finish with lots of praise.
Money is its own reward, but properly completed jobs well praised will do much to form
life‐long attitudes of anticipation for doing good work.
• Start slow, with 2‐3 chores 3‐4 days a week and slowly increase their workload as they
get comfortable and the chores become a habit.
• Be sure to post a “Chore Chart” so each child is clear of their jobs and they and you can
see when they are to be done and when they are satisfactorily completed.
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- 13. Start with a lighter load and add another chore periodically, without squeezing out time for
homework, socialization, and family time. Continue to use the “Chore Chart” so everyone is
clear on who is expected to do what and when it is done to satisfaction. Only then should
payment be made.
Children should not expect payment for what Godfrey calls being “Citizens of the
Household” – doing everyday things you expect a good citizen to do in your household,
such as doing their homework, getting good grades, proper hygiene, etc. On the other
hand, payment for chores should be tied to performance on the chore, not failure to be a
good “Household Citizen,” just as you are not docked in your pay check for your personal
behavior.
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- 14. By the time kids are 15‐16, Godfrey says they should be making their own money through
odd jobs for you or friends and neighbors. Odd jobs are jobs that go beyond their regular
chores. By now, chores should be a regular and expected part of their lifestyle – albeit they
should still be getting paid the agreed amount for doing them.
Of course, expectations for things like homework, household citizen duties, and regular
chores should remain in place. Then the child can turn to extra jobs to earn additional
money.
Provide your child with a list of possible jobs around home, both inside and outside, with
the accompanying payment amount that they can choose from. Beyond your own home,
suggest possible neighbors, friends, or relatives that would be acceptable possibilities to
ask for odd jobs.
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- 16. If you child find an outside job, they should be informed that their paycheck will be
significantly smaller then they might expect. Explain to them about payroll deductions for
income taxes, FICA (Social Security & Medicare), health insurance premiums, and other
possible deductions. Of course, the income tax deduction on their wages will be high, since
they are single and with no dependents.
They will be required to fill out an IRS W‐4 form to indicate how much should be withheld
from their paycheck. Go to the IRS website shown here and download the form and go over
it with them. Be aware that they can check an exemption from withholding if they expect
to make less than $5,950. However, if they will be close to the limit, it may be best to allow
withholding, as they would have to pay the taxes themselves if they go over this amount,
from their earnings which may have already have been spent.
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