How to Find Your Teen a Last-Minute Summer Job

It was about the third week in June last year, and my 15-year-old son had already settled into his summer routine: Go to bed at 2 a.m., wake up promptly at 1 p.m. Only to get back on his Xbox until dinner.

It was the middle of the night when a shooting sound coming from the Xbox woke me up again. And I decided, either he was going to get a summer job, or I was. I got on the computer and found a life guard certification class that started the next day, and a company that hired 15 year olds to guard their pools (Why? I still don't know).

From the minute I woke him up at 8 a.m. all the way to the class, he was going on and on about how I was ruining his summer. But by the end of the week, he was actually looking forward to going. He learned CPR, figured he really could save someone from drowning, and managed to get a few pointers on how to actually work for a living.

Two weeks later he had a job as a substitute guard. I was surprised. He took his responsibility pretty seriously. And this summer, he will be be working full-time at a municipal pool. He says a lot of his friends don't have jobs. And I say, because their mothers didn't try hard enough! Even if your kid is super busy with finals and after-school activities, you can do a lot of the leg work for him. (I know, that smacks of helicopter parenting. But you do want him out of the house this summer, don't you?)

Start Calling Companies that Regularly Hire Seasonal Workers

Whether it's an ice cream store, a movie theater, a country club (think golf caddies) or a summer camp, ask if they are hiring for the summer. And if they say they are full, inquire about vacation relief. If someone asks why you're calling instead of your teen, just explain how busy he is at school, and how he's such a hard worker! And if you fill out online applications, no one will know it's not your son or daughter who is actually filling out the form (just make sure he reads it.)

Check for Certification Classes

Life guarding is the perfect summer job for anyone who can swim. You don't have to perfect your freestyle. All you need to do is make it from one end of the pool to the other without stopping. The Red Cross offers classes throughout the summer.

If your teen would rather work indoors, try finding a pharmacy tech training course in your area or online. Most states allow teens as young as 18 to get their license.

Sign up for a Red Cross baby sitting class. If your child carries this certification card around, parents will be impressed. And that is a great last-minute summer job. Busy parents often scramble to find nannies for their kids once school is out.

Once Your Teen Finds a Job, Let Him Take Over

You can't do the job for him. And you can't talk to his manager. Once you get the lead, make sure he contacts the supervisor himself. As hard as it is, you have to let your kids make their own mistakes. But a lot of times, companies post work schedules online. So try to monitor it often to make sure he is never late. It's ok. You're his mom.


More from this contributor:

Raising an Only Child Who Isn't a Spoiled Brat

Why It's OK to Rule Your Kid with An Iron Fist when Coddling Is the Norm

Should You Send Your Kid to Summer School or Teach Him/Her at Home?