How old should a kid be to work?

Question

My son is 10 now and turning 11 in October. He wants to work (!!!) Cool, Financially we are sound and we support him a lot. He is a real good behaving child and always a A & A+ student in the school. Good at drawing and Music, as well. Till today we have never said NO for anything that he has asked for, because he has been rational all these days. But yesterday he asked his Dad, he wanted to work and wanted to earn. While asking why, his answer was, I want to experience the work. He has not given any decision but asked me. We do not want to disappoint him but we do not want him to strain himself also. What should we suggest?

He says, he will work for an editor as reader. Honestly we do not know what the job he means. It will be 2 hours work a day for 15 days. (I don't know his pay agreement and we are not interested also, instead if that can help him for his development, we are ready to spend also). Our questions are

Is this right for a 10 years old to work?

Answer 1

2 hours work a day for 15 days would be very OK for a 10 year old. Work for an editor ( whom you don`t even know ) as a reader, is weird. I suggest that you talk to this "editor" before he starts in the job.

Answer 2

well depending on the law you have to be at least 14  or 16 to legally work. now i would jump at the idea to work if i was at his age but knowing this would never happen i'd drop it any way tell him to start a lawn mowing buisness or something.

Answer 3

at age 10 u cant work at a actual place to work. u have to be 16 at least.

Answer 4

Im sorry but his liveing in a fanstasy world.

I wanted to work also.  You legaly have to be 14 at minimum.

Answer 5

he cant legally work at 10  you have to be 16 and even then you have to have a work permit.

Answer 6

Aside from the legal ages there are, there's no real cut-off. If a child wants to work and it's not dangerous or harmful and he/she can do the job well and they enjoy it, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Since you mentioned he's good at studies, could he tutor other children at his school? I don't know if his school has such a program, but some schools have that.

He could do yard work and sweeping for neighbors in your general area. A few dollars a job over time will add up.

Answer 7

For a 10 year old kid to work, I would say not yet. He's to young and if he experiences and doesn't like it he might decide he doesn't want a job when he gets older.

Answer 8

At 10 years old newspaper delivery in the area is ok and odd jobs for neighbors but that is it.  A reader job should be ok because it isn't a lot involved but I wouldn't let him have it affecting his time as a kid to play and stuff.  At 12 years old they can start babysitting and dog walking and stuff like that.  Really a real job though should always wait until atleast 15-16 years old.