My son recently started his first job, he's working with his dad in construction (metal roofs/buildings). I assumed this would be just a summer job, and back to school in August. But now he's telling me that he wants to continue working, and do his school work in the evenings when he gets home from work. I'm not so sure about this. Has anyone elses child worked during the day, and schooled after work? I know alot of PS kids work after school, but this would not work for him because they work out of town quiet often, so he wouldn't be able to go to work after school was done. He has to leave out by 7 a.m. We live in a small town, and once you find a job, you had better keep it LOL. I'm not sure what to do. My son has Ulcerative Colitis, and he has times when he just absolutely cannot leave the house, and not every employer is going to understand this, but since he works with dh, he does understand. Anyway, I would appreciate some input. He's 16 btw.
When I was HS'ed my sophmore year of high school I worked during the day and did my school work in the evenings. I really liked it and it worked out really well for me. You could give him a probation period to see if it works for him. It might just turn out to be the best thing for him. Just my 2 cents.
I agree a trial period would work well - and honestly start him now in the summer to get used to the routine if you can
Does he want to continue in construction after high school? If so, then I'd encourage him to work with his dad...his job would be part of his education. If he's hoping to do something else, then a full-time job might cut into his time to develop skills in his chosen field. I'm impressed that a sixteen year old would want to do such hard work especially after experiencing it during (IMO) the worst season. I wouldn't want to even look at a metal roof in the summer much less work over one. PS: Make him wear sunscreen -- I think skin cancer is a hidden risk of construction work. We lost two family members in their forties to it; they were both roofers.
Why wouldn't it work? What would the difference be of him doing school during the day and then going to work at like McDonalds at night? Honestly, that has been one my my hidden perks to spring on DS when he gets to highschool age.. he brings up often that he wants to go to PS so that he can drive to school... what he doesn't yet understand is that I am not going to pay for him to have a car, and finding a job in the evenings around here is pretty much impossible thanks to all the highschool kids working at everything from the grocery stores to the fast food places.. but he would definately be able to get a job at any one of them durning the day when all the other kids are in school, so he could afford to be driving.
What are your state's requirements? (as far as reporting, etc go) I think, that if he intends to continue working with his father after graduation, this experience would be invaluable to his education. Take care of the 3 R's in the evening (readin', ritin', rithmetic....lol), Construction's a lot of physics, right? I do agree with a trial period. It really depends on your sons ability to be responsible. Is he a fairly responsible kid? Would he actually do the work or would he be too tired after working all day? The reality is, if it works for your family, do it! THAT is the beauty of homeschooling!
My oldest ds got a job working for the local govt before he graduated and did the same as what you describe. It worked for him. We too live in a small town and if you are blessed to get a job hang on to it. It will work out fine, don't worry! Be sure your state laws and homeschool laws allow for him to work full time and be sure he fully understands his employment is secondary to his education.
Thanks for all the positive responses. I was a bit worried about it. We have helped my dh do metal roofs for about 3 years now. DH works for a construction company but also does roofs on the side (weekends). Just last weekend we were doing a roof, and it was 111 (on the ground), I have no clue how hot it was on the metal roof. There's good money in it, but the summer months are grueling. Lots of sunscreen in this house. I think I will do a trial period and see how it goes. And if he gets to where he doesn't want to do the school work, then I will have to shut it down. I never thought about construction having anything to do with physics. Shoot, I can't even read a tape measure, beyond the 1/4",1/2" and 3/4". I do think this will be an invaluable experience for him, not just now, but for future reference as well. How do I find out if our state laws and HS laws allow him to work full time? We're in Texas, and I don't know how to find this out.
You can google homeschooling laws in Texas. HSLDA http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1 may have answers, I am not sure. There is a Wisconsin Parents Association in my state that keeps me up on what is what here. I would do some major planning of how much time will be dedicated to schooling. With your ds's input. Do it together! My dh works a shift every few weeks of 2pm-10pm. I plan those days different than when he works a day shift. We are doing school at 7 at night. Just thinking outloud here: You would have to count in a winding down time after getting home, dinner...maybe he could do school work 6 days a week for only a couple hours. Spread the time out. Sometimes I have done that. The school work should be priority and if he understands that and is willing to try his best to do both, go for it! He may need a vacation after 6 weeks of school and work. Give him a break from his books for a 4 day weekend and start back up again. Schedule would be priority for me... Wishing you success!
If it doesn't go against homeschool regulations or the requirements for a work permit, I say go for it!
It doesn't matter what time of day you school. Some kids do better with night schedules. I know there've been parents on here and on the WTM site that follow their husband's schedule of work. If he works nights, they school nights eat breakfast together and all go to bed and sleep during the day. Others work in the early morning and are done by noon. Others work in the afternoons and evenings. So in that sense, it doesn't matter, do what best fits your family. I totally agree with a trial time. If it's too much, he'd have to cut back or stop work to get his schooling in. What are his plans after highschool?
I am in texas too, I know there are not any homeschool rules about when and how much you have to hs. I vaguely remeber something about underage kids working less then 40 hrs per week, when I was in highschool here but I am not really sure on that. But that may have just been if they were under 14yo. You might run into some idiots who will cause problems with the local curfews ( like in SA) that say kids have to be inside during school hours. I think it is a great idea. It just might encourage him to work hard and become educated so he doesn't have to roof in the hot texas sun when he is 60. LOL
Because our brains function much better earlier in the day. If I have something important to work on, I always get up early to work on it. I find it more difficult to concentrate in the evenings when I'm getting tired. OK - so I'm not young any more, but I do see the same phenomenon in my children. We're talking hard physical work here, so the OP's son will be starting his studies every day feeling very tired. IMO, that's asking a little too much from him. As others have suggested, maybe a trial period will determine how practical this is. Alternatively, what about working during the day 2-3 times a week or just working the afternoons?
Personally, I am a night person and I get my best thinking done after dinner time. Ithink that it really more individual. Also, my DD is the same way. We NEVER do math first thing in the morning, she can't handle it.
Definitely! My sister works at night and sleeps during the morning. She schools her children late afternoon into the evening. They have done this for many years and thrive. They are enrolled in a charter program and meet with their teacher once a month. She told my sister that as long as the girls are learning, then it doesn't matter when the work is done, as long as it is complete and understood.
Personally I get more productive stuff done between 5-10 pm...... do NOT mess with me in the morning - LOL....I get up because I have stuff that needs to get done.... but my more practical/business work is done in the evenings.... or if I'm up early it's the afternoon.
Another night owl here. I can barely function in the morning, and don't get super productive until the middle of the afternoon. I make glass beads (using a torch) and my best work is always done late at night.
We are morning people here. Mainly because of Handsome's work schedule. I have a difficult time functioning in the evening. Now my sister is the opposite, she can't function early in the morning. She gets so much done in the evening.
Ditto! I work so much better in the evenings! I think if there is no LEGAL reason not to, then I would totally go for it! We actually do our 'schooling' in the afternoons b/c it's when DS is more 'into' it and I can focus better. He likes having "his time" in the mornings and then knows that school is in the afternoon and he functions well that way...so I really think it's an individualized thing...Good Luck!
I think that I am the odd duck! I am a morning person. One thing that does effect how I feel in the pm is my asthma. By the time evening rolls around I have been exposed to everything under the sun and a lot of times my asthma is not doing all that great.
