All life skills should be taught to small children at an early age. If you teach them at that time, you will have much less trouble with your teens. Although, it is harder to teach life skills when they are teens, it is not impossible.

Teens need to know that as adults they will be expected to work. The adage about if you want to eat you must work is a good one. It is something teens can relate to as many do love to eat. They need to know that everyone in this world must be useful and make a meaningful contribution. The work ethic and the responsibility trait go hand -in -hand. You are responsible for yourself as a young adult, you must provide for yourself in some ways even as a teen. It is hardest for those kids who have been given everything and never made to work. Parents cite homework and school activities, and later college courses as their excuse for not allowing their young people to work. I believe this attitude is wrong. No one is suggesting a full- time job, just a few hours a week will teach the ethic. If a kid can make $20 or $30 dollars extra a week, it takes some burden off the parents and begins to teach them responsibility. This money can be extra and replace that money for fun that parents give their kids. It can be divided into parts and budgeted just like a larger amount so they gain money - handling experience. Parents should encourage saving even if the amount is tiny. A 10 to 15 % of their total is not out of line. The funny thing with having money is that it makes you want to earn more. The teen is likely to ask if they can work more hours. This needs to be discussed carefully in an unheated way to determine if they can take the time away from other activities. Be careful to remind your young person that they must still keep their grades up and meet other responsibilities. It is as important to teach them to finish what they started such as extra-curricular activities as it is to teach them to work. Make sure they do not stop socializing and playing, and just work. This will eventually have detrimental effects.

In my work, I've met many teens that thought work was an evil, four- letter -word. We had to convince them work could be fun. You must stress finding a job they like. I realize as a teen their choices are few, but I believe this area is starting to open up for kids. They should find a job they can stand, even if it is not one they love. Encourage them to give it a fair try, preferably, months, and not hours. Parents, you need to protect your kids rights, some employers are unethical. They will overwork, over schedule, underpay etc. Beware of these situations with your underage youth.

Teach kids about the good qualities associated with work. Talk about their engaging in meaningful employment. Tell them work you love can be fulfilling. Your example should be fine if you have a job you truly love. If you don't, explain why not and what options are open to you and to them.

Help kids see that every job is necessary and useful. Teach them to be the best at what they do, even if they find the work menial. Explain that in order for the world to keep moving, someone has to do all jobs. Not everyone can be a doctor or a lawyer. Help them see the value of an education in learning and expanding possibilities although I believe that in today's world it is wrong to equate college with job guarantees.

It is important you stress that a boss is just that and has a right to ask you to do certain things as an employer. Stress no one, not even a boss can make you do things that are unethical, illegal, or immoral. Unfortunately, some kids must be told these things because of some employers out there. For the most part, employers that hire kids are good people and a wonderful role model to teens.

If you have younger kids at home, start teaching the work ethic by having them do chores or jobs for small amounts of pay. Don't pay them for 'fluff jobs' (jobs that are created in order for them to earn and are basically not needed to be done at all). Do not do this too often and especially after about age 5 or 6. Do not pay kids to do chores everyone must do as part of a household. Do not pay to do homework. It is okay to pay for achievements and good grades, but here we are talking about work. When you assign a job, make sure the child understands it. Make sure your standards are realistic given their age and abilities. Always pay them as soon as the job is completed.

Don't forget to include some free jobs where they do not earn money, but just do them because they should help someone in need or do it because they will feel good about themselves. An occasional volunteer position will benefit them in many ways besides their work ethic.

If you have a young person who likes to work, that will go far in producing a functioning adult who can provide for himself and his family. A person who enjoys his work is always happier with his whole life than one who does not enjoy his job.
Remember, when you teach a kid how to work, you give him an important tool and skill for life.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel