Top Five Sumer Jobs for Teens

As summer approaches, it’s time for your teen to get a job. This will be good preparation for their future role in the workplace. Here are the top five summer jobs for teens you may want to consider:

1. If your teen is already in college, a great way to spend the summer is to intern in a company which incorporates the teen’s chosen field. For example, if your teen is studying architecture at college, working for an architect will give them insight, and training, which will become invaluable to them later on. They can use the company as a reference later on or they may even be offered a job after graduation.

2. If your teen is athletic, he or she may opt to work as a lifeguard at a beach, pool, or park. This would not only be great training for them, but also teach them discipline, and a good work ethic, as well.

3. Perhaps your teen wants to become a veterinarian. Working at a veterinary clinic can be an immeasurable source of knowledge. Any practical experience they gain can only serve to increase their proficiency in this area.

4. Is your teen interested in becoming a computer programmer? If so, your child can intern at IBM, or other top-notch companies, wherein, he or she will learn all of the latest computer technology, as well as the ins and outs of software applications.

5. Does your teen want to become a writer? If he or she is majoring in journalism, any local or national newspaper would be happy to take him, or in as an intern for the summer. Here, your teen can learn all about writing, publishing, editing, and news coverage. This would be a wonderful experience to help catapult your teen into a successful career in journalism.

You may have read about the teen, who had an idea about selling beanie babies on eBay. He is a millionaire today! The possibilities for your teen are endless. Having a summer job not only teaches about the specificity of the position at hand, but what companies expect; what jobs are more competitive than others; learning to work with others; developing a good, strong work ethic; taking criticism; and applying what was learned to their college and life experience.

Fun Summer Activities for KIds

Although you may not be able to afford a summer vacation this year, there are fun summer activities for you and your kids. Here are a few Fun ideas.

Pick a tree in your back yard and lay down a blanket. Have some lemonade and cookies, and read the books you’ve checked out from the library. Take turns reading. Invite friends and their kids to join you. Make it a weekly event.

If your kids love pirates, make a treasure box with your kids. Have them scout around the back yard or beach for rocks or sea shells or any item they think would be cool to include. Have the kids make a treasure map and include some information on pirates found on the internet. Add some coins, and make a pirate’s flag with black fabric. Have the kids add their own symbols to it. Then the kids can bury it in the back yard or keep it on hand and add to it each year.

Gardening is another fun summer activity for kids. Have your kids plant their own flower garden. Talk about each flower; how it grows, how much room it needs, and then give the kids a title, such as Director of Water Resource (this would be for one kid to oversee the watering of the plants); or Director of Roots and Shoots (this would be for another kid to oversee the weeding), etc. Also, give your kids some watermelon seeds to plant. You never know what may crop up.

With baseball season just starting, why not have your Family start a scrapbook on a favorite sports team or even choose a rookie and follow his career. The scrapbook could contain photos with captions, newspaper clippings, and sports items you may already own. Make it a family tradition. Each member can contribute to the scrapbook. Perhaps mom and dad have some stories that they may want to include in the scrapbook as well.

Fun summer activities for you and your kids can be achieved with a little imagination and a lot of creativity.

Kids Summer Reading Activity - Library Fun

As kids look forward to the last day of school, most middle school public school teachers remind their students to read at least 25 books over the summer. While this is certainly a daunting challenge, there are ways reading can be included in this summer with a trip to your local library.

While it is estimated that school kids put in more hours than working adults, they too need a bit of a break. The first week of vacation should be devoted to rest and relaxation. This can then be followed by weekly trips to the library wherein kids can choose their own reading material specifically in topics which interest them. All year long they are being told what to read. By giving them the opportunity to choose books they like, they won’t feel so overwhelmed. Allowing them to decide what to read will give them the flexibility to seek different genres such as Harry Potter, and the ability to engage in this ongoing adventure.

Children are under a great deal of pressure during the school year. Summer should be a time of fun, but it can also be a time of learning as well. If your kids love to read, the trips to the library will be exciting for them. If they are hesitant, allow them to browse around. If they don’t choose any books the first time around, try again a week later. They may come upon a book or books which grab their attention. You can be assured once they find a topic of interest, especially if it’s a serialized book, they will want to return.

Summer reading and library trips can be a summer activity. It all depends upon how it is approached. While the 25-book requirement may or may not be reached, it is important for the kids not to feel pressured, but allowed to read at their own pace. If they manage to read 1 book every 2 weeks, that’s a plus. Whether they take a book to the beach or read aloud at home, reading should be a fun and relaxing time for kids.

Planning an Inexpensive Graduation Party

Unlike years ago, when we graduated and simply had a small gathering at our home or invited close family members out for dinner, today, the sky’s the limit, when it comes to graduation parties. But it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to give your child the best graduation party ever! Planning an inexpensive graduation party, without going into debt, is the subject of this discussion.

Instead of hiring a catering hall and having to invite the immediate world, think of planning an inexpensive graduation party at your home. Work out a budget that is reasonable, and then send out invitations to friends and family. You can easily arrange a buffet, which is not only affordable, but allows the guests to come; offer their congratulations, and have a bite to eat. This way, there would be less work for you afterwards. All you would need to buy is, paper plates, napkins, paper cups, sturdy plastic spoons, forks, and knives; a few decorations, and the party can go into full swing.

If you have a large family, your invitation list may be quite long. For large groups, you may want to consider renting a hall for the occasion. When renting a hall, research local community centers to determine the cost factor. You can also use the buffet style in these types of places. Furthermore, if your son or daughter has a close friend who is graduating with them, you may want to approach their parents, and decide if a joint party is feasible. In this way, the costs can be decreased. Both families can work out the details, and split the cost down the middle.

With college tuition, boarding, and all of the peripherals needed for college life; your funds may be a bit low. If this is your case, the last thing you need is to give an extravagant party that will put you in debt. Instead, consider planning a graduation dinner party at a local restaurant for immediate family members only. In this way, you are saving quite a bit of money, yet still celebrating this important event. Most kids would appreciate this gesture, especially if they understand you can’t afford a grand affair. Have a conversation with your son or daughter; you may be surprised at their response.