Think Outside the Box As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast-food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money-making opportunities. Online Surveys and Reviews
Unconventional Summer Jobs for Teens
Petsitting and Housesitting If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no reason they can’t work for neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social media. Most importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share.
Companies are eager for consumer feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. Virtual Storefronts If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set up an Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors age 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account. Last month, the Children’s Museum of the Upstate opened their newest location in Spartanburg at 130 Magnolia Street. The museum’s mission is to “spark a lifelong passion for curiosity and learning through play,” and with their newest location, the museum is ecstatic about touching the lives of more children right here in our town. The Children’s Museum began with one mother’s wish to create a place in upstate South Carolina where children would be inspired and learn in an informational, hands-on environment. In December 2003, benefactors donated the former Greenville County Library building and the surrounding land to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, and that mother’s dream began to take shape. With 20 interactive exhibits on three floors, the 80,000-square-foot facility at Heritage Green is one of the largest children’s museums in the United States. With their recent expansion into Spartanburg, the museum remains committed to serve the needs and interests of all children. With the expansion to the Spartanburg location, the museum is truly focused on serving additional upstate communities. Creating the new venue allows Spartanburg families regular participation in programs that prepare children for academic success. The new museum is geared toward ages 5 and under, and programming will align with best practices in the field of early childhood education through daily story time, art time, and cooperative, physical play.
Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime! The Children’s Museum of the Upstate — Spartanburg
Admission into the museum is $5 per guest or $150 for a family membership that grants unlimited access to both the Greenville and Spartanburg locations. To learn more about the Children’s Museum, visit tcmupstate.org/spartanburg.
2 www.SCFamilyLaw.com
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