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Entry bubble Summer Jobs for Kids

By: Nicole | May 16, 2008 | Category: General

Backyard FootballHere in D.C. it’s 75 degrees and sunny, which can mean just one thing. Soon, it will be 90 degrees and so humid I’ll need SCUBA equipment to breathe. I might not be thrilled by this prospect, but the kids in my life can’t wait. Summer for them means trips to the beach, lazy days playing pick-up football, and extended bedtimes. In another year or two, it might also mean a summer job, possibly a government job.

So, for those of you who have kids 13 and older, I've gathered together some helpful resources. The U.S. Department of Labor provides specific information for parents about the rules governing youth labor. For example, there are special rules regarding the minimum wage for young workers. There are also time restrictions. Generally, kids 14-15 can work a full 40 hour-week during non-school weeks, but only 18 hours during a school week. There are no federal time restrictions for kids over the age of 16, but you should check your state laws because some provide stricter guidelines. There are different rules for kids whose parents own their own business or farm.

Even if your kids aren’t quite old enough to have a summer job, they can begin investigating careers. Using the Web, you can find information about which industries are growing, as well as match students’ interests with possible career options.

VolunteerAnother terrific idea for kids during the summer is volunteer work, which can provide new skills and foster a sense of civic involvement. In addition, colleges are often impressed by applicants who volunteer their time to help others. Many government agencies have volunteer opportunities.

Do you have any creative ideas for great summer jobs?

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: career   jobs   kids   labor   school   seasonal   students   summer   teens   vocation   volunteer   youth  

 

Entry bubble MRSA: It Can Happen Here

By: Joanne | January 15, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

I pulled the letter from my daughter’s backpack after school one day. It was from the school superintendent and informed parents that there have been 3 recent cases of MRSA in our school district. MRSA, aka, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the antibiotic resistant staph infection.

My reaction? Level 4 biohazard! Do they make hazmat suits in children’s sizes? Pull her out of school! Decontaminate my home every night? Should I lock her in a bubble and never let her enter the germ factories that we call elementary schools, hospitals and let’s face it, any other public place?

biohazard symbol

What’s a mom to do? I want to protect my kids, but dirt, viruses, and bacteria are all part of life here on planet Earth. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has the answers for me – their page about MRSA In Schools has all I need to know.

The CDC says the same stuff that the letter from school did – cover wounds, wash your hands, and don’t share clothing or towels that come into contact with your skin. OK, so maybe this doesn’t have to be so crazy after all. I’ll make sure that we’re well supplied with hello kitty Band-Aids and encourage the kids to wash their hands frequently. I come from a long line of women who wash their hands to an almost obsessive-compulsive degree, so I can totally get into the clean hands thing.

Lastly I’ll say that if you have to use antibiotics, use them as directed to help ensure their effectiveness, and have you washed your hands lately?

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: antibiotic   infection   joanne   mrsa   resistant   school   staph  

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