Should You Work for Your Children?

Children often work for their parents, either during high school and college to make extra money, or long-term after graduation. Although there are a few questions about the propriety of such situations---especially concerning favoritism---the lines become even more blurred when the pendulum swings the other way. Should you work for your children, or would it be too weird?

For some people, working for their children is a way of evening the playing field. They cared for their children for years and years, and now the kids get to return the favor. Of course, this doesn't mean that people should feel obligated to give their parents jobs, but it does imitate the circle of life. When children put their parents on the payroll, however, things can swiftly go wrong.

For one thing, whether or not you should work for your children depends on whether or not they own the company. Upper-level managers who give jobs to family members might seem suspects by C-level executives and even other coworkers. It creates an uneven balance in the hierarchy, and it would be easy to accuse your children of playing favorites in the workplace. If your kids own the store or restaurant or business, however, it's only natural that they would consider family members for employment.

Another problem you might face if you decide to work for your children is the issue of the parent-child relationship. Since their birth, you have been the one to scold, reprimand, praise and set boundaries, but now it will be the other way around. Can you take direction from your kids without getting defensive? Can you handle a dressing-down if you happen to screw up? These are questions you need to honestly answer for yourself.

If the situation is going to create bad feelings when you work for your children, my advice is not to do it. Nothing is worth sacrificing the relationship between you and your kids, and you don't want family holidays to be filled with arguments about work. Furthermore, you certainly don't want to be fired by your kids, which could create even more hostility in your personal life.

Of course, some people can create an emotional barrier between home and work. If you can work for your children without professional issues getting in the way, it might be a wonderful experience. Not only will you gain employment, but you'll be able to see your kids in their element, and you'll be able to take delight from their everyday successes. Their hard work, dedication and talents are indicative of your excellent parenting skills.

In the end, whether or not you should work for your children is a personal decision. It requires that you look at the situation objectively, and without a thought to your own needs. After all, parents are responsible for taking care of their kids---even their adult kids---and you wouldn't want to put them in a compromising situation. Look at the type of business they run, the type of work you'd be doing, and how much daily contact you'd have with them.