The foundation can be laid for financial security and Christian stewardship. Happy marriages are made of restraint in financial commitments. Perhaps cars and college are not yet an issue. Even younger teens feel pressure to wear certain clothes, play electronic games, or try out for sports. Thus, jobs can help our kids tame their consumerism into a normal, manageable budget.
Young teens can babysit, wash cars, walk dogs, and mow grass for neighbors.
When word gets out that your kids do these things well, they'll be in demand. My daughter has learned when the malls have their juiciest sales. In the past, she would crave the newest sandal at the beginning of the season. I refused to shop that way, since all my shoes came from the discount stores. She recently bought a popular name-brand sandal for 20 per cent of the original price.