As the parent of a teenager, you may seem to always be at odds with them. Their grades, their plans for the future, who they have as friends, and whether or not they should work now, may be a few of the things you disagree about. If you think they should get some work experience, you may be asking yourself, “How do I go about finding my teenager an after school job?”

The type of work your teenager can do depends entirely upon how old they are. A young teen may be able to do some babysitting, but not much more. Most states require teenagers to be at least sixteen before they can work after school. In either case, finding your child an after school job can be done, with a little bit of work.

What type of after school job could a teen get? Teenage boys may be able to get a job working at grocery stores as a stock or bag boy. Girls may be hired as a cashier. Fast food restaurants hire teens for many positions. Teens may also be able to find employment as lifeguards with the proper training and certification, as tutors for younger students, and delivering newspapers.

Ask the school guidance counselor to see if they have a list of approved jobs that teens can do. If they don’t have a list, look in newspapers and at the local employment office. When your teen finds a job they may be interested in, help them learn to create a resume and fill out a job application.

Find out what hours the teen will work, how it will affect their school work, and what type of responsibilities they’ll have. You may not want your child being responsible for money, so helping to close a restaurant or store would not be acceptable positions. Talk to them and ask what they would feel comfortable doing.

Will you be responsible for picking them up after work, or do they have a driver’s license? If you have to get them back and forth to work, your schedule might determine what jobs they are able to take. Keeping the lines of communication open will help your teen find a job that both of you can be happy with.

Parents want their teenagers to learn responsibility. If you’re considering this possibility, you may be asking “How do I go about finding my teenager an after school job?” Talk things over with your teen and then begin your search together.