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I want them to focus on their studies but they can work if they have good grades.

I would see it as a good thing, if it wasn't too much for them to handle. Especially a learning job- I was a copy-editor in high school which paved the way to a job later as an editorial assistant for a magazine. I'm very glad I have the experience.

i worked - was a tutor for kumon. also helped my parents out at their store. i think it teaches responsibility and helps teach finances. i think it's a good idea as long as it didn't get in the way of their studies.

Yep. Our kids will work some while they're in high school.

No job in high school but I was helping with my family's business. Kids aren't allowed to work while in high school here in Sweden, except during summer. If we move back to the States, I'll discourage it and only allow it if it's a summer/weekend thing.

I want my kids to focus on school and learn to save with their allowance and not be overly concerned with the latest fads.

I was never allowed to work in high school even though my grades were great. I would not mind my kids working during the summer, and I would only allow them to work during the school year if their grades were good and they were able to keep them up while working.

@rubies I like that rule!

Yes I want LO to work while in high school. I started working at 15 and kept the same job all through high school (I wouldn't expect her to do the same), while keeping up grades and other activities. Honestly, high school wasn't *that* hard; so I can't see/hope not to see LO struggling so much she can't balance out multiple activities in her life while keeping up her grades. I think working teaches some financial responsibility, and also how to time manage which will be helpful in college and the work force.

Plus, I'm not paying for all her car costs (might pay for a car, but she'll be responsible for insurance/gas/upkeep) and fun money forever!

SO very strongly believes in working at a younger age, I am pro-working but I don't want it to ever mean grades get sacrificed.

I got my first job when I was 16 as a secretary. My school had a work release type program and I did it, so I got out at 2 instead of 3:30. I'd go to work from 2-5:30 every weekday during the school year and 9-5 during the summer. I quit my Senior year though because I was taking 4 academic classes (we were on block scheduling) and so I had to stay until 3:30 everyday. I got a different job for a few months but couldn't juggle it. I graduated in December though and proceeded to work FT until I started college that next August. So obviously I believe if you can swing it you should.

On the flipside, my brothers both play sports and didn't work. My oldest brother graduated in the Top Ten, Varsity All-State for Soccer and did a program called "Move On When Ready." <-- Basically, when he graduated HS he was halfway through his sophomore year of college credits. So we both excelled...differently. I didn't do badly in school at all, in fact I was in the top 10% just not literal top 10 and did 3 college classes during HS. Lol. So different things work for different kids. If my kid's time is to be spent playing video games then hell yes they will have a job.

I only worked in the summer, as a lifeguard, but then one year I also lifeguarded at the pool for after school swimming lessons, so that kind of job would be fine by me.

I always had a part time job, ever since freshman year of high school, and before that I babysat at least once a week. My parents would take away my extracurricular activities whenever my grades slipped (to -- gasp -- B's!!) but somehow never interfered with my jobs. I really value that experience because that work ethic (to always have a job) has definitely carried over to my adult life-- I picked up extra hours instead of going on spring break, and I started my first full time job 2 weeks after graduation. It was tough to be a SAHM because I couldn't wrap my mind around not having a paycheck every 2 weeks.

I do plan on having my kids work through high school, even if it's just one or two days a week. I want them to learn how to earn their own spending money like I did. My parents still gave me money when I asked for it, but I remember always being able to bring home bagfuls of things from the mall while my girlfriends only had one or two little items.

As long as it doesn't interfere with their studies, I would definitely encourage them to work part time and especially during the summer breaks.

During the summers but I'd like her to do something interesting that will give her a skill, like work in a bike shop or something. I had a job from when I was 15, I had a bunch of different jobs from retirement home to golf clubs. When I got to college I started waitressing and it worried me that so many of the kids went out back to do drugs and drink during and after work. They really used it as some unsupervised screw up time.

I worked all the way through high school, and the hubs didn't. You can totally see a difference in our work ethics now, and it's something that really bugs me. I'll be encouraging Cameron to get a job as soon as he's 15 and able to work. Even if it's only 1 or 2 shifts a week, I really believe in him earning his own money, saving and working towards bettering himself through a job.

If they are in sports/activities that keeps them out of trouble then I don't think they have to have a job, however if they choose not to do anything after school I will have them work a PT job so they have some sort of responsibility.