softgabby
Gear Empress
I got my first job at 16 to pay for my car insurance and gas, and to have spending money. I started in retail but soon switched to waiting tables, which I did through most of college (switching to other jobs closer to graduation). Personally I will encourage my kids to work at 16. If they want a car, they'll have to. I don't see teenagers as kids though. I see them as young adults. IMO too many kids are tossed into the deep end of the real world at 18 or, worse yet, still living off mom and dad at 25. So I suppose I agree with your dad. Balancing a social life does not count as work, sorry
I'm with you. I picked up my first...I guess you'd call it a job when I was 13, babysitting kids in the neighborhood. I've always done odd jobs since like mowing my elderly neighbors grass in the summer, shoveled the snow in winter, housesitting and walking dogs for neighbors while they're on vacation and lifeguarding at the pool since last summer. I'm not the biggest driver in the world. I mean, I like being able to drive to school, work, practice and to hang out with friends. I did use some of my money toward gas (I'm on my parents car insurance policy). I also don't have many expenses outside of softball and cheerleading that my parents pay for. They mainly pay for my health insurance, car insurance (I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee), some clothes (I pay for the majority on clothes and jewelry) and my braces (I'm told they should be coming off sometime this year maybe, YAY!).
My social life really only consists of going to carnivals/theme parks, hanging out at a local pizza shop/fast food place, hanging out at the mall and either window shop, go to the food court or a movie or hang out at a friend's house..
I do want to work. I love making my own money that I can use on whatever I need. I'm just not sure whether or not I should do it. Or how I'll balance sports, school, work and a social life.