My just-turned-ten DD wants to earn money for summer camp. She has decided to advertise for yard work and odd jobs. Do you think this stands any chance of working? If you saw a sign in your neighborhood or received a flyer in your mailbox, would you hire some ten year old neighborhood girl? Obviously there are safety concerns and each 'employer' would have to be thoroughly checked out. This sounds like more of a disaster than anything else!! Can you think of other ways she could earn money OUTSIDE of our own home and us as her parents? TIA!

By Vicki on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 08:31 pm:

Personally, I wouldn't hire a 10 year old to do odd jobs. Nor would I allow my 11 year old to go to strangers homes to do things. One of the main reasons is safety. However, I would likely hire a niece or nephew (or maybe a neighborhood child) to do some things for me if I knew they were "working" to earn money for something or a trip or something. But not just some kid off the street. Do you have any family members that could find some things for her to do??

By Vicki on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 08:32 pm:

When I say neighborhood child I mean a direct neighbor that I know and they know me. Not just anyone from our general area.... does that make sense??

By Imamommyx4 on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 08:33 pm:

There was an industrious little guy that put fliers out a few years ago. He was 11 and worked like the dickens around the neighborhood. But it would be hard for me to allow my 10 yo dd go to strange people's houses. I might tell my friends that dd wanted to make money. I know one friend of mine hired a young lady 10 to 12 to "babysit". The friend had twins and the young girl went over and played with the twins, changed diapers, gave snacks, etc while mom worked from home or did housekeeping. It helped tha mama and the little girl made some money. My friend and the little girl's mother were friendly, not best of friends but knew each other okay. So that was a good situation for all.

By Shalom2t on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 01:32 am:

I would hire them after meeting their parents and getting a health history and feel out the parents. I have hired kids no one else would give a chance and yes some were in trouble but it never has gone against me. I believe it is because I'm straight up. I would advise you checking out the prospective employers and if you aren't sure then no. Also let both know you will be checking in off and on , then do it. Go in person. Also make rules no going in the house and get a check done on the other party - ask neighbors, even the police.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 01:55 am:

My sister had a pair of 10yos who cleaned her house for a long time. They did a really good job! She was very pleased with them.

By Kiki on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 10:05 am:

Personally, I would be afraid to let my daughter who will be 10 in a few months, work for anyone other than family. maybe, I just overprotective.

By Cat on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 01:53 pm:

It would really depend on if I knew her and her family. There's no way I'd let my 10yo ds work inside someone's house I didn't know. However, if it were someone I did know I might. Now if someone in my neighborhood wanted their leaves rakes or lawn mowed I might consider letting my child do it, but there'd be strict rules like not going into their house and such. I'd also make sure my child had a cell phone with them, fully charged at all times while "working". That's all from the mother of the working kid. Now would I hire a 10yo girl to do work at my house? If I didn't have my own kids, maybe outside work. Probably nothing in the house partly because of all the reasons I stated earlier (I won't even let kids I know into my house without their parent's permission). Now I did read about some kid (or saw it on tv or something) that started a very successful dog walking business when he was about 9 or 10 and he's still doing it a few years later making some pretty good money. I think it was in VA or DC or something. Good luck to your dd. She sounds ambitious.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 09:18 pm:

I wouldn't hire a 10yr. old unless it was family or a close neighbor. I also wouldn't let my DD work for anyone else except for family or a very close neighbor.

She does sound ambitious, so maybe the two of you can come up with something else if you don't feel comfortable with it or if she can't get hired. If you have family nearby, maybe she could work for them. Or could *you* put her to work doing jobs other than her regular chores? What about a paper route? Although that would involve you, but it seems to me in a better way than checking out people who hire her and worrying the whole time.

By Tripletmom on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 09:24 pm:

Ditto Deanna-It's a scary world today.Its actually sad that we can't trust people today.Kudos to you for raising a very ambitious little girl.

By Kate on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 09:47 pm:

I know...it wasn't until after she made up the signs and wanted to put them around the neighborhood that I realized NO WAY!! She can't just go 'work' for ANYone!! She's the type who always wants to sell her artwork or her stories or jewelry she's made. But no one is really going to stop at the end of our driveway and buy anything, and even if they did, it's not going to be enough to send her to summer camp! Maybe the paper route idea is a good one....I'll have to think on that one! And yes, she does have toddler cousins she could maybe be a mom's helper for, but I hate to pressure anyone. Thanks all!

By Yjja123 on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 09:55 pm:

Artwork or jewelry could be sold on ebay along with other items she finds around the house. You could have her help you get rid of any unwanted items you have around the house and sell them on ebay.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 10:09 pm:

That's a great idea Yvonne!
And about being a mom's helper for family...if you made up a cute little flyer to send to them, you might be surprised how much your family might really want to take advantage of that! If my nephew (whose 12 and great with little ones) asked me about it, I would definitely do it. Just my thinking on that one.

As far as the paper route, it would also teach her a lot about responsibility and having a "real" job, while still having parental support. She would have to get up early (but so would you!) and there would be people holding her accountable for getting their paper. It would be great $ for a 10yr. old and she could really learn a lot. But that's just an idea. It might not be right for you guys.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 10:45 pm:

Just talked to DH. Kids have to be 12 and need a street trades permit to deliver a newspaper. Also, our local newspaper is a 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, without days off for holidays or anything, unless you would find a sub.

DH delivered newspapers as a kid and works for a newspaper now.

Wisconsin Rules for Employment of Minors.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 08:24 am:

We have a community paper that comes out once a week. My ds delivered it in our old neighborhood. For that, he didn't have to be twelve. He made pretty good money for just once a week.