LIBBY,
age 14
I work in the afternoons as a babysitter. I take care of a 7-year-old
after school until her mother gets home from work. I am very responsible
and take the job very seriously. I use the money I make to buy the
things that I want like CD’s and clothes. My mother wants
me to come right home after school and do my homework instead of
working. She is also trying to tell me what to do with my money
I make.
JANET, Mother
I’m proud of my daughter’s abilities to baby-sit a little
girl in our neighborhood after school. She is very responsible about
watching the child and she earns spending money. My issue with the
babysitting is Libby’s grades have dropped since she started
the job. I also think if she’s going to work, she should be
saving at least some of the money for her future.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR:
Dear Libby,
Clearly, your mom is very proud of you for working and taking such
good care of the child you baby-sit. At your age the most important
job you have is to be the best student possible. It sounds like
you can be a good student and continue to work. Talk to your mom
about your desire to continue baby-sitting but also you need to
work on your studies. If you can’t do both, perhaps you can
find a paying job in the summer and give school your full attention
now. As for the money you earn, consider saving a portion of the
money and deposit it into your bank account. Someday, you’ll
be glad you have that money.
Dear Janet,
Consider working out a compromise with Libby about working and keeping
up with her studies. Give Libby a time frame to bring up her grades.
If she can pull it off, let her continue the baby-sitting. Perhaps,
she’ll need to make other sacrifices such as spending less
time with friends. As you well know, working contains great lessons
for our children. Encourage her to save some of the money she earns
for the future.
Louise
Hajjar Diamond has been a guidance counselor for twelve
years. She is also a freelance writer and mother of two.