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News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

The By Parents For Parents Blog is regularly updated with the latest news and information on topics that relate to parenting teenagers. We'll post parenting advice and tips from trusted online news sources and expert parenting columns.

We invite you to add your comments. Please let us know if you would like some specific topics covered, want to share your experience as a parent dealing with teens, or just have general feedback on the By Parents For Parents Blog.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Summer Employment May Not Come Easy

Summer jobs don't only provide some extra money, but also offer valuable life experience for teenagers. However, teens may have to work harder this year to get a summer job. Experts advise parents of summer job seekers to begin setting their teens' expectations early, and help them to develop a Plan B in case Plan A doesn't work out.

"Discuss the fact that if your teen is fortunate enough to find a job, it may not be what he had hoped for. The job may be part time, inconvenient hours and, yes, may not even pay that great. If your son or daughter hopes to work a little this summer in order to buy a brand new convertible in August, disappointment will surely be the result."

If Plan A - the summer job - doesn't happen; encourage your child to consider Plan B - volunteer work. This might be a difficult sell, but is a great way for teenagers to get some real world experience and learn that life isn't always about "me". Source: The Star - Cleveland County, North Carolina

If you're looking for a summer camp instead of a summer job for your child, visit SummerCampsInfo.com for a complete list of summer camps.

Labels: jobs, summer_job

posted by ByParents-forParents at 3:22 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Summer Job Openings on the Decline

Teens may have a tough time finding summer jobs this year. In a survey of 1,100 companies by SnagAJob.com, almost half of managers said they would not be hiring seasonal workers this year.

"We could be headed for a historic low in the teen employment rate this summer," said Joseph McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University. He pointed out that because of an economic downturn, more adults will be taking jobs traditionally held by teens.

"The summer 2008 job outlook for teens looks particularly bleak," he said.

The overall number of teens with summer jobs has been declining for years, partly because parents in all socioeconomic groups are increasingly encouraging their children to participate in academic and extracurricular pursuits to improve their resumes for college. Last year the number of college applicants was at an all-time record high.

Labels: jobs, money, summer

posted by ByParents-forParents at 11:23 AM 0 comments

Friday, January 25, 2008

How Do You Know if Your Teen is Ready to Work?

A teen with a part-time job can ease some of the strain parents often feel on their pocketbooks. It can also teach a teen responsibility.

"So if you are teetering on the fence because you just aren't sure if your teen is ready, you should allow your teen to try... If, however, your 16-year-old is fighting the thought of getting a job, then don't push it. While you don't want to give into any fears of real world experiences, waiting one more year may give your teen the confidence he/she needs."

For younger teens (under 16), jobs can be hard to find. But babysitting, lawn mowing and paper routes are all excellent possibilities. Work with your teen to find a job that (though it won't be his dream job) will be a good fit for his personality and abilities. Read more at ParentingTeens.About.com.

Junior Boarding Schools, like New Leaf Academy, can help middle school age girls catch up academically while they work on social skills and maturity.

Labels: jobs, maturity, responsibility

posted by ByParents-forParents at 12:33 PM 0 comments

Friday, October 12, 2007

Teens with Part-Time Jobs More Likely to Smoke

High school students who have part-time jobs are three times as likely to become smokers, according to a new study published in the Journal of Public Health.

Dr. Rajeeve Ramchand, lead author of the study, believes that teens with part-time jobs are more likely to smoke because they have the money to buy cigarettes, they are with older youths who smoke, and their jobs are so boring that smoking breaks monotony.

Labels: jobs, smoking, working

posted by ByParents-forParents at 4:17 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Get Your Teens Working This Summer

Many teenagers will give excuses as to why they can't or shouldn't work during the summer. Some say they need the "down time", a chance to relax after the rigors of school. And while some relaxation is good and necessary, a completely sedentary summer is not mentally or physically healthy. Instead, encourage your teen to get at least a part-time summer job.

"...make clear to them that doing nothing all summer is not an option... Most parents don't realize that just taking a firm stand has a strong influence on their teenager. And most teenagers don't actually dislike the idea of getting a job."

Teens want to have that extra spending money, and most are much more responsible than we give them credit for being. Spend time helping your teen find work. Don't do everything for him; he needs to make an effort on his own. But many teens don’t know where to start and will need some guidance. Read more at TheGlobeandMail.com.

Think your teen may make a great summer camp counselor? Find a list of summer camp jobs at SummerCampsInfo.com.

Labels: jobs, money, summer

posted by ByParents-forParents at 11:56 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Teens may be Unable to Find Summer Jobs

A new study by the Teens4Hire organization indicates that teens may have a problem getting summer jobs this year.

Spokespeople for businesses who participated in the poll said that they are not hiring teens at all. Teens face competition from workers over age 55 years, college students home for the summer, immigrants and recent college graduates unable to find jobs in their majors.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the summer employment rate for teens has been dropping over the past few years. For example, in 2000 the rate was 45.2%; however, in 2004, it was 36.4%.

Labels: jobs, money, summer

posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:11 PM 0 comments

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Teens and Jobs

Teens who work during the school year are becoming increasingly common. The U.S. Census bureau reports that about 2.9 million teens hold down jobs while going to school. Becky O'Connor, career educator, believes jobs can teach valuable lessons.

"'Responsibility - just everything that goes along with being a good employee - they're certainly learning those on the job,' O'Connor said."

While the National Consumer's League advises against delivery or construction works, jobs that teach accountability and discipline will help prepare teens for the future. Read more online.

Aspen Achievement Academy, a licensed treatment program located in Utah, helps teens by integrating an accredited academic component, a sophisticated therapeutic model, and an experiential education curriculum in a healing wilderness environment. Read about Aspen Achievement Academy's therapeutic program for teens...

Visit their website to learn more about Aspen Achievement Academy and how they create a modern "rite of passage" designed to assist adolescents in making the transition to responsible young adulthood.

Labels: accountability, jobs, responsibility

posted by ByParents-forParents at 2:51 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Thursday, April 19, 2007