Work or Play for Children

My son is 13 and his only job is to keep his bedroom clean (otherwise he doesnt get his pocket money). So apart from that he does what he wants, my little girl is 2 in November so she is too young for jobs

Our 15 year old is not working over summer although i think next year he probably should be... I was working a part time job from the age of 11 but that was only term time, so when I was 16 I got my first summer job working in a shop.. if I hadn’t worked and saved from such a young age, I would not have been able to buy my first house at 22..

Both I think that no matter if it is the summer holidays my kids need a bit of structure. I have given them a 2 jobs each that they have to do every day .

I don't have any kids but I do believe that children should have a bit of both work and play. They need to understand the importance of working for a living and earning their own money, whilst at the same time they should be allowed to enjoy their childhood by doing what kids naturally like to do - such as playing outside and getting themselves dirty.

As for working, voluntary work would be a good start.