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Community Corner

Moms Talk: Teen Summer Jobs

When is a teen mature enough to have a summer job?

Moms Talk is a weekly feature on Acworth Patch to help build a community of support for mothers and their families. Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council will take your questions, give advice and share solutions. Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today.

School is out and your 15-year-old is constantly needing money for clothes, parties, going out with friends and other assorted activities. He tells you he would like to apply for a job. Is he mature enough?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), teens as young as 14 and 15 can have certain kinds of non-hazardous jobs and work up to 40 hours a week during the summer holidays. There are other certain restrictions such as the time of day the teen is allowed to work. Check here to view more information on both state and federal labor guidelines.

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Should a summer job be an option, or should your teen take full advantage of the time off from school? Regardless of the federal and state guidelines, is a 14 or 15 year-old emotionally mature enough for the responsibilities that come with working a regular part-time or full-time job? Can a youth of that age handle a 40 hour work week? How do you handle this situation with your teens?

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