Carrie recently wrote:
Would you consider doing an article with free ads for neighborhood kids looking for summer employment (i.e. I have a 14 y.o. with babysitting experience looking for work, pet sitting, etc). It might be beneficial to readers and kids.
When we were ten, we got our first paper route, and held it for years. Afternoons after school, we’d cruise the neigborhood on foot or bike, and weekend mornings we’d be up with the birds. Once a week, we’d ring doorbells with our flip-book of collection tabs, and Christmas-time always meant tips.
Now, our paper is delivered by some guy in a car who drives in from south Seattle.
As for the seasons, when we were growing up, a good foot of snow on the ground meant “grab the shovels and start ringing doorbells, $5 a walkway”, a gusty autumn wind meant “grab the rake and start ringing doorbells, $10 to rake your yard” and a string of warm summer days meant “start pushing the mower down the street, $10 to do your lawn, front and back.”
Now, granted, a kid trying to earn money shoveling snow or raking yards wouldn’t make enough for a pack of gum in this neighborhood, and, what with the trend towards low-water alternatives to lawns, maybe even the mowing is out, but doesn’t it seem like “kids today” (if you’ll excuse the phrase) are less likely to be out earning an extra nickel than when our generation was growing up?
We’re all for supporting the industriousness of the next generation and want to help how we can, so we’re taking suggestions. Would some sort of job board like Carrie suggests be helpful? A dedicated area in the Forums do the trick? Would love to hear from people who need the work as well as the kids (or parents thereof) offering it.
(Photo by OddHarmonic)
I would love this. I am always looking for local high school babysitters for my kids, but have a hard time finding them.
Yes, please! An addition to the Forums would be wonderful.
I keep waiting for some young kid to knock on my door to ask after our lawn — I’d rather pay them $20 a professional service.
that would be fantastic! I’d be thrilled if I could pay an industrious teenager to pull weeds and clean up the neighbor’s bamboo droppings on the patio.
can we add babysitters to the list? Love this idea!
Yes, please! We’re always in need of a babysitter for a weekend, and what’s better than a high school kid that’s in the neighborhood?
I would love to hire neighborhood kids to water my plants while gone! This is a really great idea!
Oh yes – plant waterer, garden waterer, and DOG walker during the day – sign me up!
I am all for this idea! I occasionally need a dog walker, plant waterer, baby sitter, yard help etc. and this idea would be a win win for everyone. Thanks!
Yes, please!
This sounds like a great way to help encourage a strong work ethic.
Wally: I feel very convicted by the newspaper guy in your article. I make eye contact with our newspaper Guy & his Wife most mornings (& give them the Wallingford Wave) but I’ve never taken the time to engage them in conversation long enough to find out what part of town they’re from.
Steve
Yes, and again, yes!
Yes!
It sounds like there may be more demand than supply. (Kids, figure out how to make that work for YOU!)
A forum or board of seekers/providers might encourage kids who hadn’t thought about odd-jobs/babysitting to get out there and work. (you may say that I’m a dreamer…)
Does it have to be just for kids? I know a local woman who is just starting a dog walking business & would probably love to be included.
I’d say have it just for the kids. Summer is when they’re traditionally looking for work.
I agree. We must be more like a neighborhood, if we want to be known as a neighborhood.
…The way it used to be. When I was young, I went door to door asking if the neighbor(s) needed anything done. Mowing grass, weeding, painting, etc.
I wrote the initial email to Mr. Wallyhood and I’m excited to see some interest. My son is starting 9th grade at Roosevelt this fall and I’d really like him to spend time this summer working (babysitting, animal care). I can ask some of his friends if they are interested if there is a labor shortage. For me, it’s all about teaching him the value of money and gaining work ethic while getting to know neighbors. One question: can potential employers say what they think a fair hourly rate would be? Thanks!
And please keep in mind that creeps probably read neighborhood blogs for a variety of bad agendas . . .
I totally support jobs for kids, and would be happy to pay for my lawn to be mowed, or some weeds pulled.
But I would like to put in a word for adults who need income too, and do some of these jobs. I’m a full-time professional pet sitter here in Wallingford. I don’t need money for xbox, pizza or movies, but for food on the table, and housing, and bills.
Is there a way to include adults too? Maybe a kids section, and an adult section?
I’m just moving to Wallingford and would find this job forum idea very helpful for me. This blog already has given me a wonderful taste of my new neighborhood. Thanks!
How can we say no to such enthusiasm. Go ahead and click “Forums” in the navigation bar above and you’ll see a “Job Board”. Official announcement appearing tomorrow on the blog, so go ahead and put your notices up now while it’s fresh.