As I am writing this, it is the 4th of July back in the United States, a day where we celebrate our independence from the tyranny of England since 1776.  Meanwhile, I am deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  I can’t help but think of all those who sacrifice so much to ensure we will still celebrate independence in the years to come.

Where I am is a very safe location and far from the action.  However, as I watch my military brothers and sisters go deeper into the fight I can’t help but think of their families.  It is not a fun experience to be away from my family for four months, but there are many who will be gone for over a year at a time.  Imagine leaving your family knowing you won’t see them again for a very long time.  I can’t even begin to imagine a whole year.

The ironic thing is that these men and women are fighting not just for the security of our nation but for other nations to have the ability to celebrate their freedom one day.  Iraq is already able to breathe free from the removal of a dictator.  There are many families that can celebrate the day his tyrannic thumb was lifted from their lives.

233 years ago there were those who opted to leave their families to join the masses and fight for our freedom.  Not knowing when they would be home, they still stepped up to fight.  I am honored and humbled to wear the same uniform and represent the same flag for which they bled.

The 4th of July has grown to become one of my favorite holidays after my time in Iraq five years ago.  Knowing that I play a tiny part in helping another family burn burgers and enjoy their independence takes the sting out of not being there to do the same with my family this year.  I hope and pray that one day my child will grow to understand freedom is not free.

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When I first joined the Wasabi Media Group team, I needed money rather badly to buy stuff, for a decent amount of spending money for a YMCA trip I am doing summer, and other usual teen money needs. Since I have began working a steady job, I have gained plenty of money.  I think jobs are good for teens, but for young teens, finding a job you legally can work at is hard.

In New Hampshire (where I live), the law basically says that if you are under the age of fourteen, you cannot get a job and if you are under the age of sixteen, you need to get a New Hampshire Youth Employment Certificate, within 3 business days of the first day of employment, from the Superintendent of Schools, Guidance Department, or Principal’s Office in the city or town where you attend school. You may be denied if you have bad grades or a record of trouble.  NH law also says 16 or 17 years olds shall be employed by an employer if the employer maintains on file a signed written document from the youth’s parent or legal guardian permitting the youth’s employment.   There are some exceptions to the rule, though.  For example, I work for Wasabi Media Group, but I’m only thirteen.  That is because Wasabi Media Group is a my parents’ business.

Here are some tips on jobs for under working age teens.  If your parents have a business, see if you you can work there. If not, there is the old teen stand-by: babysitting.  Personally,  I babysit and write.  If none of these work, try carving out some type of niche work.  Generally, competing with stores and/or chains of stores is hard, and you are almost guaranteed to lose.  Try something like baking or art.  Also, volunteering will get you known, so when you become of working age, more people will hire you.

So, if you are a money strapped teen, try to get a job!

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Recently, I received my babysitting license from the Red Cross, so I have begun babysitting, and I, like many teens, am so glad I can babysit!

Like many entrepreneurial teens, I have begun babysitting.  First, I started working for family but soon learned that I would make more money with a Red Cross license, so I went to the class.  The class taught us students many things, such as how to properly change a diaper (I already knew that!), how to assess injuries, how to do a lot of first aid, how to solve problems/negotiate with kids, and other general care things.  Also, we received a license from the Red Cross, certifying us as Red Cross approved baby sitters, which many parents will ask for.

Now, I have babysat since then but only for family.  Often, I will babysit one to all of my three sibling or my cousins.  One of the things I learned is to be careful of which age range to work in.  I think that kids from three to eight are easiest.  Although they they require more care, they won’t fight back or argue as much as older kids.  (Although that is not much of a problem for me because I have two sisters that are two years younger than me.)

Here are some ways you can deal with fighting and arguing:

• Consequences:  A classic due to effectiveness.  If they argue or fight, tell them that they won’t get dessert, TV tonight, etc.*
• Phone Call: If you have a phone, whip it out and pretend to call their mom or dad.  Within a few seconds of talking they will stop and plead you not to tell.*
• Take a Hostage: Ok, well don’t really, but take something like a toy and only give it back if they comply to the demand of better behavior.*
• Ignore Them: Plain and simple and very self-explanatory.*

*All tested very successfully for me. Your results many vary.

Now, here are some no-nos:

• Fighting Back Physically: Never, ever do this.  You may never get a job again!
• Offering a Reward for Ending Bad Behavior: The child will connect bad behavior with a reward and repeated the action to receive more rewards.

Babysitting is tough, but teaches teens well and pays well, too!

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As parents, my husband and I have had a few discussions about allowances.  To me, they always have seemed problematic.  If you simply give your child money, it seems that he would learn to expect that money be given always.  If you attach the allowance to chores, your child can choose not to do chores that you expect to have done.   Therefore, we have created our own system, which is working nicely with our tween-aged children.

First, we have created a list of chores that are expected to be done without pay, simply because they are  members of our family.  For every household, these chores could differ, but in our home, they are: emptying bathroom trashcans on trash day, taking out or bringing in garbage cans on trash day, putting away silverware after washing, putting away own laundry, bringing dirty laundry to washer.

Second, on a weekly basis, I create a list of other chores that I need to have completed and that can be done by our kids.  These include (but aren’t limited to): sweeping floors, sweeping the garage, dusting furniture, vacuuming rooms or sets of stairs.  Once the list is ready, the bidding begins.

Here are our rules for bidding:

1. If a bid is deemed too high, it does not have to be accepted by the  parent.
2. Once a bid is accepted that child needs to complete that chore before returning to play, etc.
3. A chore is determined to be complete by the parent.  Poorly done chores need to be redone.
4. A child receives pay for chores once all of her chores are completed.
5. Bids must be made in 5 cent denominations.

In addition to earning money and having a clean house, this system has other advantages.  Our children have learned the value of money.  Through bidding too low for a chore and completing work, they are gaining a better understanding of what things are worth.  They also are learning to take initiative.  Although I complete the chore list, they have made suggestions for other chores that they could complete, which helps reduce our (the parents) workload and provide more income for the kids.  Finally, they are learning to manage time.  Although, one child could try to offer low bids on all chores, it would take a greater amount of time.  Typically, they find a way to bid so that they receive a similar amount of work and/or money.

Bidding for chores has solved our allowance dilemma, providing some extra money for the kids and some extra time for the adults.  It has been a win-win in our home.

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Our sister publication, The Entrepreneur’s Bible, has a great article about how parenting is like being part of a start-up.  If you are a parent and business person, you may find it an interesting read. It could give you a whole new perspective on your work as a parent and business owner.

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