Is Your Teen's Job Interfering with Studies?

Is your teen's job getting in the way of their school work? It's a proud moment when your teen gets their first job. It's even nicer when they do it well. Unfortunately, they sometimes do it too well; So well that they ignore their studies. What can you do to get them back on track? Should you suggest they quit their job? In my opinion, now is a great time to teach your teen to seek balance in their life.

Teen work hours often interfere with homework time. Your teen has an after school job. They're used to doing homework right after school. This could cause grades to slip drastically. Talk to them about doing their homework in study hall. This strategy allows them to keep up with both school and work, without either suffering.

Some teens turn part time jobs into careers. It's nice to have that job to save for college. It seems like a lot of money to them right now. Their boss may even offer them a promotion once they graduate. That doesn't mean they should take it without some careful thought. Remind them of the big picture. Explain that their studies will pay off better in the long term. Preparing for college will bring them a much brighter future than flipping burgers.

It's easy for teens to get wrapped up in their job. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and makes them feel needed. Unfortunately, their studies aren't the only thing that could fall behind. Teen jobs leave little time for a social life. This is the time when teens develop social skills and begin to build a social network. That network is vital to their future success. Nearly everything we accomplish in life involves other people. All work and no play is a formula for failure.

Knowledge is power. The more information your teen retains now, the better prepared they will be for life. Sure, a job teaches them responsibility, scheduling and even some people skills they will need later. It's a valuable experience. Just remember, this is their peak learning time. Make sure they use it wisely. Putting all their effort into a job leaves little time for study.

Your teen is developing patterns for life. That's why it's so important to teach them balance now. Don't let them become a workaholic. Make sure their job allows them time for studies, fun and even time with the family. Soon they'll have a family of their own to take care of. Make sure they have their priorities straight before that happens.

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