Parents should teach their children about employment

Racking our brains a few months ago, my husband, son and I were trying to figure out a great summer job for our 15-year-old son.

He knew his financial goals for the next few years (make serious money).

After my husband suggested being a Scout counselor for the summer, we called, he interviewed, he was hired!

If your child is facing the work-experience stage, here are some tips to help them succeed.

Be clear that work is required. Our children know that we all have jobs, no matter our age or role.

Their main job is to get excellent grades and complete household jobs. In the summer, they no longer receive an allowance and must earn money for fun (i.e. our 6-year-old matches socks to get a snow cone at the baseball game).

Don't worry if your child balks at this idea, this is completely normal. So is eye-rolling, whining and lip quivering.

When I talked to our son about being a Scout counselor, it finally registered that he would be gone ALL WEEK, for seven weeks.

He looked up in panic and said, "I'm not doing it, you can't force me mom."

I said he was right, I couldn't force him. I then casually shared that his other option was to bale hay with a farmer for $3 an hour in the burning sun for 14 hours a day, six days a week.

But it was fine either way; he was welcome to choose.

Help your kids create a resume while they're young. This helps your child see how any work translates into getting better work.

Our son hadn't considered that baby-sitting, yard care and packing kits for my former company were all employed positions for which he received payment and learned job skills.

Adding a few extra items, such as Scout awards, video competition awards, and honor roll helped round things out and presented him as a viable candidate (it also shocked his mother into realizing, wow, he really does more than forget to take out the trash).

Take five minutes and help your child list achievements, hobbies and awards that he or she has received, even if they seem innocuous.

Have a "You and Your Stellar Future" talk. My husband and I just had our talk with our almost 16-year-old son. We took him to his favorite restaurant, and my husband restrained from rolling his eyes as I whipped out a goal sheet with five areas from which he could choose.