Does Your Teen Help At Your Day Care?

In response to my recent seriesof posts  'Day Care Owners - Their Story' I received a comment from Denise at Parentingteens.about.com saying that she would love to hear stories about day care owners who employ their teen to help out.  What a great topic.  I imagine that such an arrangement could be an immensely rewarding and joyous communion of parent/child efforts…or, World War 3!  Either way I bet there is a wealth of heart warming stories of bonding, relationship building and learning.  Many tales too of constant battle field scenarios and tearing out of hair incidents (figuratively speaking…I would hope!).

My son is only turning three and, tempting though it may be to tell him 'call when you find work' he's still a little young for gainful employment so, not an option for me just yet.  I have however employed my 18 year old cousin to help out in the day care when she is free from college and have found it to be a great experience.  I finally got to know her as a person instead of just the youngest cousin. Looking back I am still amazed that I was hesitant to take her on as I had doubts about her capability.

Employing her as an adult and an individual meant that we both acted differently towards each other and as such became acquainted on a completely different level.  I discovered that underneath what I had considered to be a mumbling, gawky, secretive teen was a fantastic, capable, smart, responsible, trustworthy, funny young woman.  Not only did I gain a brilliant helper but also, a friend.  By simply changing the dynamic of our relationship, treating her like an adult, entrusting her with responsibilities and actually spending one on one time together I finally got to know Laura.

So, if you have a story about working with your teen, good, bad or indifferent….get it in to us here!

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