I didn't have chores or receive an allowance as a child, but I looked for every opportunity to work for money. At the time I felt a little jealous of kids who had it all handed to them, but I'm glad that my situation required me to dig into my creativity and sell my services. This contributed to my whole education and gave me confidence that has served me well into adulthood.
I offered my dog walking services to neighbors, cleaned houses and did yard work, did odd jobs for elderly neighbors, and held garage sales. For years I cleaned my great grandmother's apartment. One year, I did house cleaning and yard work for a teacher. At the end of the school year, I helped him remove pencil marks for all the textbooks.
Before landing a job, your child may want to take some time to learn about money.
Perform Odd Jobs
There are many services a child can offer to busy adults and the elderly, i.e., lawn mowing in the spring, garden weeding and watering, window washing, patio sweeping, or completing a list of chores for an elderly neighbor or relative. Picking up dog poo. Some of these jobs can turn into regular employment.
A family member or friend with a business may have jobs children can do. In my own business, I sometimes have photo modeling or mailing-related jobs my children can perform. As they get older, I can offer them typing and writing jobs.
Gain Regular Employment
People regularly need house cleaning, yard work, and taking trash cans to the curb on garbage day. Your child could put up fliers or hand out business cards to offer regular services to all the neighbors.
Older children can offer tutoring services to younger children. Bilingual children can charge a fee for an immersion-style language learning club, sharing a language through games and songs.
Craft Business
I know of children who make craft products such as magnets or jewelry to sell via Etsy or their own websites. My children sculpt garden artworks that would look right at home in a gardening store.
Participate in Clinical Trials and Research Studies
My eldest daughter's first job, at five years old, was wearing a pedometer as part of a hospital study on children's activity. She earned $20 for the week. Search ClinicalTrials.gov for opportunities.
Child Labor Laws
Minimum age requirements don't apply to children employed by their parents. The U.S. Department of Labor Resources for Parents of Young Workers provides additional information.
My childhood experiences inventing and selling my services have served me well in my freelance writing and home transcription business. I gained the confidence to see my plans through and learned not to give up.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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