Other people's mess

Earlier in the year Em had a job as a pool attendant. By pool attendant the job description meant life saver. Em worked 9 hour shifts on weekends at an indoor pool ALONE. Yes, she holds the appropriate life saving certificates, but somehow I didn't feel right about a 16 year old being the sole staff member at the pool where lots of children are dropped off by their parents and left at the pool for hours at a time. It's tricky to be at the front counter taking money, selling sweets, swimming goggles and other miscellaneous items AND watching the children in the pool at the same time.

Anyhoo, after her boss yelled at her because a friend dropped in to see her the day after her friend Niel ended his life, I decided Em's career as a pool attendant should end.

As Em has become serious about her school work I've wondered how she'd fit another job in with study and her other commitments, which I think are more important than money she'll just fritter away anyway. (These commitments include her involvement in the Young Achievers Program, singing in an Accapella group, taking a leadership role in her church youth group, helping out with our church childrens' program and making incredible cup cakes for any occasion that comes along - weddings, birthdays, church social nights, teacher's requests for school events. Then there's being on the student council at school, promoting the Red Cross Blood Bank donation program........I'm sure your'e getting the picture.)

Until recently Em's had to walk across her piles of stuff on her bedroom floor to reach her bed; she's also a very messy cook - though she usually does an ok job of cleaning up after herself in the kitchen. I guess that's why she's found herself a new job she thinks is a perfect fit. Cleaning luxury holiday units!!!

Having spent a day in training, Em begins her new job on Friday - though she has told me she'd like a few more pointers on making beds with 'hospital corners', otherwise she's good to go.

I think this is a great job for Em, as it will only be holiday work and pays reasonably well for a teenager, but being a realist I'm not holding my breath for any changes on the home front!

Comments

[Ilona]

Wow. That life-guarding setup you describe wouldn't be legal where I live! At our local wading pool -- WADING pool -- there are four teens on duty at all times, two of whom are actually watching the water at any given time.

They have 20-minute shifts, in pairs, because the powers that be figure that's how long you can actually *attend* to swarms of wriggling children. And that's with parents (technically) required to be within arms reach of their children when in the water!

Anyway, sounds like this one is a much better job.

[songbird]

I agree, the pool attendant job was not what any 16 year old should be expected to do alone. It would not be legal in Nwew York.

The new job sounds so much better.

My 17 year old high school senior just got a job at her favorite clothing store. I'm proud of her, but concerned as well -- she's carrying a heavy academic program, she's involved in several clubs and community service organizations, she's doing her college applications and she'd also like ot enjoy a social life this last year of high school.

I guess we're all hoping our kids will be responsible and handle all of their commitments.