What can they do?

  • Sales jobs: Your kids could run an ice cream or juice stand, host a garage sale, or make money selling all those old toys they don’t play with anymore.

  • Service jobs: There are many small jobs that your children can easily get involved in. If they are a bit older, they can try tutoring or coaching other children (teaching computers, math, reading, or sports) or helping the elderly, for example by reading the newspaper to them or buying groceries at the local store.

  • Babysitting – A great idea for teens – it’s easy on both the pocketbook and the homework.

  • Other Jobs: Kids can do anything: wrap gifts, wash cars, mow lawns, walk, groom and care for pets, babysit, deliver newspapers, clean windows. They are only really limited by their own initiative!

Starting

It may be a good idea to invent flyers or business cards. Go door to door and hand them out to neighbors and friends. Have fun and let your child be creative, but make sure your flyers include:

  • the type of service offered

  • the cost

  • any promotion (offering promotional offers and discounts is a good way to start)

  • contact details (this should be your home number – you probably want to talk to everyone they work for).

Whatever you do, you’ll probably need to buy some supplies, whether it’s oatmeal to make flapjack or a bike for a round of paper; For things like car washing, you probably already have the right materials. Keep in mind that you will have to guide the little ones to attend to both what people want and what they are willing to pay. If they’re setting up a stand, the popsicles won’t sell in November, but they also won’t sell on a hot summer day if you charge too much. Here’s a guide to help you with pricing:

  • Lemonade stand: between 50 pence and £1 per drink

  • Car wash: £5 per car

  • Lawn mowing: between £5 and £20 (depending on the size of the lawn)

  • Grooming pets: between 5 and 7 pounds sterling

  • Childcare: £5 per hour, with overtime pay after midnight

  • Newspaper delivery: £5 per day to £20 per week.

Baby sister

Babysitting is probably the most popular way for teens, especially girls, to earn money. It’s a great way for them to earn and learn as long as they’re mature enough for the responsibility – the NSPCC recommends that kids be 16 or older. To check if it’s right for your child, try leaving it in the care of younger siblings or relatives. Here are some tips for anyone caring for young children:

  • Always get the parent’s contact number while they are away. Have all emergency numbers handy.

  • Set hourly rates before work begins and remember that double pay is expected after midnight.

  • People need to trust you with their children, so always be courteous. Don’t invite friends over, don’t smoke or eat leftover food from the refrigerator, and try to remove toys after children have used them.

  • Find out about children’s bedtime routines (bathtimes, story times, etc.) and keep in mind any house rules about snacking or watching TV.

  • Always keep all doors locked while you are inside and never open the door when you are home alone at night with the children.

Be clear about what time you expect parents to be home. If they are running very late, remember to charge extra for overtime.

Safety

As a parent, it’s always difficult to strike a balance between allowing your child to be more independent and protecting them from danger. Here are some tips to make sure your children are safe.

You will need to use your own judgment to assess what level of responsibility your children will be able to handle and how capable you will be of dealing with the consequences if something goes wrong. For example, mowing the lawn can be a great investment for children, but sharp blades are very dangerous. The cleaning job is good, but detergents often contain nasty chemicals.

If your kids are doing any kind of work, you’ll need to decide where you’ll let them do it. Generally, particularly for younger children, it’s a good idea for them to work as close to home as possible. Likewise, if your kids want to wash cars or groom pets, you’ll need to think about whether you’d feel more comfortable doing it at your home or at your clients’ homes.

Make sure you know and have the contact details of anyone your children work for. It’s also often a good idea to take them there and pick them up yourself, especially if they’re babysitting at night.

Finally, be careful with Internet advertising: it can be very difficult to control who communicates with your child.