Pocket Money

I was working full time, in a hospital, from the age of 16.

My children all worked through from 14 (in those days) One at Tesco nights and weekends, one at a motor cycle dealers and one cleaning caravans 5 of my 7 grandkids have worked from 16 one in a coffee shop 2 in MacDs one in a pound shop and one cleaning in a hotel (one other became an apprentice and the other isnt 16 yet)
The ones that went to Uni have all kept themselves too

I worked at 14 picking potatoes then Saturdays in M and S I also started off working in a coffee bar but being very shy and lacking in self confidence in those days I only lasted a day at that one, the boss put the fear of hell into me
Working to help out is extremely good for kids I swear my son has the very good career he’s has today though his work with mechanics when he was 13/14 through to 16 when he got a proper job

I was a stay at home mum until my youngest was 10 . I then got a part time job cleaning in our local hospital. I did that for two years and then got a job in the same hospital as an auxiliary nurse .
2 and a half years later I started as student nurse at 36 years old and qualified before I was 40 . I then worked full time .

Worked at 13 in a school uniform shop, then moved to Boots, where I spent all my wages on make-up!! DD worked as school cleaner at 6th form, then silver service waitressing.

Saturday jobs Florist, Chelsea Girl, M&S
Holiday jobs Accounts at Allders, Hospital cleaner, Barmaid, Christmas post
Teaching full-time but saving for deposit on a house Factory work one summer, more bar work

Wow, you've raked up some memories

Son worked coaching Saturday tennis for several years, shelf stacking
Daughter did cleaning after school, a bit of tutoring

Living in the countryside we were expected from a young age to pick fruit in summer holidays, pick tatties in the ‘tattie holidays’ and as I got older and became a student I started waitressing at weekends in a local hotel, then there was a weekend job in the bingo hall. At some point I planted trees in a local nursery, worked holidays in a fruit/veg canning factory and a lemonade factory. I even did 2 weeks holiday relief in a fish shop. One Christmas I remember a lovely job in a China shop. Fast forward to being a mum to 2 primary age children and I got a part time job in a local bakers/cafe which was ideal hours at 10-2. Fitted around school times. Looking back I did a lot! We weren’t from a wealthy family and in those days where we lived it was just expected that kids did those jobs. Look nowadays how the soft fruit farmers are losing crops because they can’t get pickers. Sad. My own daughter also worked whilst studying, first as a silver service waitress in a big hotel, then later worked in a supermarket but eventually gave that up as she needed the study time.

I think part time work for teens adds life experience and gives them some independence. My family all worked as teens, mostly picking fruit, babysitting and my older sister and I worked at a local newspaper printing plant. She ended up meeting her future husband there.

My teens all worked from about 14 onwards. Clearing tables at restaurants for my daughter, and the boys worked at a fish processing plant, and helped unload boats as they came in with their catch. One worked at a grocery store.

It teaches kids how to interact with other adults, time management, and some freedom with money management.
On the other hand, my sister did not believe in having children still students work. I see their kids as being very socially shy and not very mature for their ages. I think it would have been good for them.

Chardy

Wow, you've raked up some memories. So right.

It's been lovely to read about the wide variety of jobs and from a very young age for some of you.

Money being earned to help the family, save for a holiday or first car, help with needs for studying. For many, it has helped them gain confidence.

Paper round, potato picking and then working on Saturdays and during school holidays at Woollies which I loved because I was often on the record counter then I worked in the prescription pricing bureau until I went at 17 1/2 to train as a nurse in Scotland

I did a paper round 6 mornings a week from aged 13. As a student demonstrator at age 14-16, for my dance teacher, this involved standing at the front of class so the younger pupils could copy, this paid for my ballet and tap classes. At age 16 I became a Student Assistant, I would take small groups of children who may be struggling with a particular step or who needed extra practice for an exam, for this I was paid on top of my free classes. Whist at Teacher Training College I worked during holidays, a variety of jobs.

Things were different then Grandma70s. These kids are having to find around £50.000 to pay off student debts. They HAVE to work. Some receive grants but they don’t go very far.
Hard up parents can’t help that much, if at all.
I’d like to see some of these ‘high ranking’ professionals
Helping the students financially as the Americans do, by awarding grants and the like.

Potato picking - back breaking! Fish and chip shop - hated smelling of chips and the vinegar smell made my nose sore, they did get me a taxi home when I did the late shifts though.

When I was 13 I worked on an as or when basis in the BathingPool cafe. No training, was expected to serve customers and wash up. I remember someone asking me for coffe, I just said i didn t know how to make it, will they have tea? I didn't last long there.
When I was 15 I had a Saturday job in a fruiter/ florist. quite enjoyed it.

Many year later I had a Saturday job demonstrating sewing machines in a department store - again no formal training, but I loved it and got good discounts on the machines I sold. Eventually I bought one myself!!

I did home help for a short term and it was only 2 hours per week - I had little commitment so left it.