In need of some advice

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softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
I didn't get my first part time job till college but I also didn't get my license until I was 18 and didn't have some of the expenses some kids (not sure about you) have these days e.g. cell phone bills, etc. I did have a GF my junior and senior year, but she was pretty low maintenance. I worked hard at both baseball and school my Senior year, took my class ranking from 30 out of 700 kids to 11th by getting A+ in all of my courses ( I didn't put too much time into my courses before that....) and had a decent year in baseball ( I was still recovering from an ACL tear my Junior year). The hard work I put in my Senior year towards school and baseball helped me in both college academics
and college baseball imo.

Here is what I would say. If you think you able to maintain your grades while taking the most difficult courses you can your senior year (don't coast!!) and put the proper amount of time into an activity which you will only play for a small amount of time more (4 years if you are going to play college) and still pick up some part time shifts, then do it if you need the money. However if you find it too much to handle and your school or sports activities are suffering, I would probably quit the job. You are going to be working the rest of your life...

That said my wife played 2 sports in HS (track and volleyball) and always had a part time job and she is the one who manages the money in our family (pays the bills etc) so perhaps I don't know what I am talking about :rolleyes:

I do have some expenses that my parents pay for (my cell phone, braces, car and health insureance, my participation costs and a few other things). I'm currently third in my class and I think something like half a point separates me from being first in my class (we have 300 in my class).

I think I can maintain my grades along with participate in sports and work . I'm not going to coast for my senior year as I'm doing the same thing this year as I did my Junior year and take as many AP courses as I can (I think I have a few non AP courses as I'm taking some metal working classes and I'm taking some computer related courses)
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
The more I learn about you, Gabby, the more impressed I get. Keep it up, kid. You're on your way to an awesome future.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
I think that working can be character-building and it certainly teaches skills, but it should not be done at the expense of grades. For my kids, anyone who does not have an activity or who has way too much time on their hands (spent on gaming or social media) needs to get a job. Anyone who is keeping their grades up and participating in worthwhile extracurricular activities or sports does not have to get a job. If that changes, then we will revisit the issue. And a social life is important for a developing adolescent too.

I saw that working a job can build character with my brother who worked part-time at a local home improvement store as a cashier. I won't let the job interfere with my grades or anything like that. I'm not usually a big one as far as gaming or using social media. I mostly use either Facebook or Snapchat and I'll use Instagram from time to time. For me, gaming is usually used as something I unwind with. The two games that get the most playtime right now are Overwatch (I'm eagerly awaiting playing as the new hero, Hammond) and Fortnite. I usually play a little when everything else is done that I need to get done like chores, schoolwork and either softball or cheer which ever is in season or is being prepared for at the time.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
Sorry to hear about your grandmother.

The rec league my daughter grew up in pays youth umpires $25 for an 80 minute 8u game and $35 for a 90 to 100 minute 10u game. I also know a player who made umpiring while in college her part-time job and umpired tournaments all summer.

Thank you for the sympathy wishes. My great grandmother (my mom's family...my dad's grandparents live in Florida) lived to be 92. She had a long, fulfilling life. I'll miss not getting to talk to her. She wasn't in the greatest of health when she went to be with the Lord. My great grandfather was saying about wanting to be transferred to a nursing home near where we live so we can visit him more often. I'm going to check into doing some youth league umpiring. Maybe I can do it while I'm playing my final season of travel ball.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
Gabby, my daughter was senior and just graduated this spring. I am not sure if softball is a fall or spring sport where you live. It is spring here. We made our daughter have a job her senior year, until softball started. We let her quit once all the games started. They had games scheduled 3-5 nights a week and if they did not have games,, then there was practice. Not really much time to work. I'd say if softball is out of season, you should work. There is still plenty of time for school and social activities.
One other thing I would say is talk to who ever is going to do the hiring/scheduling for part time employees. See how flexible they can be with your schedule. Explain to them how many hours you want to work each week and explain that you have things like practices, lessons to work around. They may or may not be able to work with you. If that place won't there are always other part time jobs. My daughter worked as a waitress at a pizza place. Her manager was flexible with hours. Some may not be.

We do softball in the spring in Pennsylvania as well as you guys, Il softball fan. We practice and play our games the same as you guys, too.

I'm going to update about the waitressing thing on here as well. Some of my friends on our teams have had no problems with waitressing and having a work around for practices.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
School MUST remain your #1 priority. How you prioritize everything else is up to you. If you can make it all happen without feeling like you are carrying a giant burden, great. If it feels overwhelming, something has to get adjusted.

I will definitely make sure school is top priority. I think I can handle a few hours of work aside from school, softball, cheer and social. I don't think it will be that much of an extra burden. Besides...I won't know until I try to do it.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
Balancing school, work, softball, social life can be a challenge. You said you want to work because you like having your own money to do things. If that’s the case, then take the job. One thing to consider though is whether they will work around your practice schedule and give you weekends off for tournaments. For example, if you have practice on Wednesday evening, can you get that time off? Restaurants often need servers the most on the weekends, so can you get weekends off when you have a tournament?

My 17 y.o. works out every day for softball. We’re lucky enough to have a batting cage of our own with lights, so sometimes her workouts are at 5:30am because it’s the only time that day she can get it done. Sometimes her workouts are at 9:00pm as well. It just depends. The point is that if softball workouts are a priority for you, then you will find time to get a workout in every day even if it’s just 30 minutes of ladders and cones.

Learn to prioritize and arrange your schedule week by week. Get in a workout in the morning if you’ll be at a job in the evening. Then come home and do your homework and go to bed. Work out at night when you don’t have to wait tables, as long as your homework is done first. Use a free Saturday night on a non-tournament weekend for socializing after you get off work.

It can be done. You just have to literally write down every week how you’re going to do it. Above all, if your grades start to suffer, something has to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi, TexAg! I'm going to attempt to balance school, work, sports and social. I'm going to try doing it the way you said about and I can hang out with friends in the evening after work, I can try working out in the morning (I usually am up between 5:30 and 6 in the morning during the school year anyway to do a half hour of yoga), sports will be during the usual practice time and can get a workout in the evening as a source of stress release and school...well...will be school.

We luckily have a hitting cage, a old used pitching machine and a version of home plate in an old barn here. Thankfully its lighted so I can practice in the evenings. Funny thing is I've broken lights while practicing my swing and hitting pop ups.

I'll have to learn to budget my time better which will be the most challenging part so I'm not running around like a maniac, lol.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
I wanted to update you guys on what's happening on the possible job front.

I went out to the diner I was contacted about by my parents for the possible waitressing job. I went with a few friends for breakfast and met up with one or two girls I know that work there. I made mention that my parents floated the idea of me working there. They were so excited that there is a chance I could be joining them at the diner. They were telling me it would be great if I joined them and told me the ups and downs and difficulties of doing their job. So they went to get the owner so I could talk to her and I texted my parents telling them I'll do it and go for the job. So I spoke with the owner...I filled out the application while eating my pancakes and sausage along with some tea...I gave the application to one of my friends...I was told to wait there with my friends in anticipation...and I got an interview. I brought up my concerns with scheduling and having cheerleading and softball and I was told that they would work around everything and made sure I'd be able to play sports during my senior year and she even allows the girls in school to work on homework in between waiting tables. I was told I'd be called if they needed me to come in for a second interview.

I don't know if I got it but I feel good about my chances.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
I know this is an unusual part of the forum for me to be posting on as I'm not a softball parent...but a girl starting her senior year of high school. But I think of you guys as extended family and value you guys opinion so I don't feel as awkward coming to you guys for a little life advice like if I was your 17 year old daughter. So here's at it.

Our summer softball season is coming to an end this coming weekend which frees up time for cheer and I can pick up some more hours as a lifeguard at the pool before the school year officially starts. We had a pretty decent season although I could only play in 3 tournaments this season and hopefully, I get to play this fall. Also school starts up the last week of August for us here in Pennsylvania (I can't believe I'm going into my final year of high school...where'd the time go).

Well, I'll be ending my summer job Labor Day weekend which means I won't be pulling in summer money which I liked having for buying some softball stuff I needed. My mom and dad had gone to their investment advisor, who helps out financially some struggling businesses in our area. She is also a large contributor to the softball team I compete on (got bumped to 18u) and my sister's team (she's 16u). Well, she knows about me being a softball player and her daughter is in the same class as I am as we're friends.

I've kinda been moping around the house since learning over the weekend my great grandmother passed away which we're supposed to be going to New York for her viewing and then she's being buried back here in PA. But, mom and dad came home from their meeting and their investment advisor was saying that one of the businesses she helps with financially is looking for someone to be a server. For some reason I was thought of. Anyway, mom and dad asked if I'd be interested in picking up some time as a waitress at a diner.

I know a few friends are waitresses and they tell me the job is rough but they love it. One of my friends that does it is a teammate in high school and another plays travel ball. I said to my parents I'd think about it. I haven't given them an answer. I am what I think to be a good kid that has her head right on her shoulders. I'm an "A" student...I'm top 3 in my class...I'm kinda popular in school (I'm not like uber popular like the captain of the cheer squad this year who I'm friends with but we're not close friends and we run in totally different social circles in school)...and I'm involved in a few clubs at school.

My dad thinks I should do it and learn the value of hard work even though I already work hard balancing school, sports and having a social life. My mom is differnet and don't think I should do it and should work more on my softball skills and focus on having fun and building memories since this is my last year of high school. I would like to make some of my own money even though I know working will cut into practice, school work and social time. But I also know when I get to college...I'll have to work anyway to make money and most importantly to gain work experience.

If I was your 17 year old daughter coming to you with this, what would you tell me? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

I know this is totally off topic...but I need some advice so I have some idea of what I want to do,

A friend of mine, his dd is a waitress at a small family restaurant, she frequently makes $200 in an afternoon. My wife and I met at a restaurant where we both worked (1000 years ago) but I can tell you its not terribly difficult work. Restaurants are generally very flexible in scheduling so they should be able to work around your school and sports schedules. If you want to work, this is a great job for a HS student

If you intend to work when you got away to school this might be a good thing for you. College towns have thousands of young people looking for work. If you walk in with a years experience and a good letter of recommendation from a home town restaurant you might be pushed to the top of the list of applicants. Just a thought.
 
Jun 11, 2012
741
63
DD starting umping sophomore year just a game here or there in town for spending money. Junior year she played 2 sports, took hard classes and 3 of the 4 terms made high honors, mid year she got her license and she we gave her a car. She paid for gas and spending money from umping and the occasional babysitting gig. The summer between junior and senior year she babysat a lot and saved enough that she didn’t work at all during soccer season. During the winter she babysat a lot and took most of softball season off, just umping and keeping score at a local basketball place here and there. Once school ended she picked up another job plus some more babysitting. Between softball, work and friends she’s rarely home but she’ll have a pretty decent amount saved for her spending money during college.
As long as you can keep your grades up I’d go for it. I know I appreciate the fact that C is working so hard to earn money so she won’t be coming to me constantly. I don’t want her to have to try and juggle honors classes, softball and life during her freshman year so the plan is to have enough saved to cover spending money and her ice cream addiction.
 

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