I have got my 15 year old working as a volunteer

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Just before the school holidays began I told my 15 year old son that he must do some volunteering work in a charity shop as I didn't want him festering away in front of the computer all holidays - the usual teenage moan and groan followed.

I took him there two weeks ago and he moaned to the shop manager that he didn't want to be there. When I went to pick him up he asked if he could get the bus home as he was in the middle of sorting out the toys. So I left him with a smile 😉

Last week he was due to go in at 1pm but at 11.30am he asked if he could go in early. He came back all smiles telling me what he had done .

Dropped him off again today having taken the bus in. At 4pm I went to get him as I had the bus ticket. He asked, yet again if he could stay until 5pm as he was helping the manager out and she was going to give him a lift home. When I went in he was sat at the till "lording" it over the shop.

So, from a disgruntled lad two weeks ago who didn't want to volunteer until today he has changed his attitude about volunteering.

I needed him to get used to working within an adult environment as he will soon be ready to join "the real world". I also felt that this would be a good thing on his CV and that the shop manager would be able to give him a proper work reference in the future which would put him one step ahead. He is also a member of Air Training Corp and has done his Duke of Edinburgh.

I am extremely proud of him. Thankfully he as grown up with manners for others around him and does not follow the crowd.

To anybody no matter what age you are I suggest you give volunteering a go. It is great fun....you learn lots and all the others who do volunteer are always such nice caring considerate people.

Needless to say I am one very happy mum. I am hoping that once school goes back that he will continue to help out at the shop on Saturdays.

[ed_blackadder_1]

You have a son to be proud of, Hats off to him

[merc1_clocks]

What a credit he is to you tintin

[bitsnknots]

Well done that young man. Also, I couldn't agree with you more Tintin.  Once again, good on him and you are right to be proud of him.

[ginap.123]

Brilliant for him & so nice that he is appreciating it

[captainbovine]

well done, seems you have a son who is a credit to you, and he has a mother who is a credit to him.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Many thanks for all the super responses....yes he is a credit to the whole of his family on both sides. His dad and I split up some 7 years ago so it just goes to show that because a child comes from "a broken family" does not mean that they suddenly become children of hell LOL. In fact most of Alex's really nice and decent friends are all from one parent families.

Believe you me...just because he is standing at nearly six foot and therefore towering over me....does not stop me telling him "that you are not too big to put over my knee young man"!!!!!

[*pixachu*]

Well done to your lad!  x

[*pixachu*]

I meant to add - you have every right to be proud of him. I can see why as a single parent you feel even prouder - you shouldn't feel that people judge you but I am sure there are times, when the kids were younger, that it felt like that.

My Mum was a single parent and both my brothers went to uni (one also did a phd) and we all ended up doing ok in the end. We all own our own homes and even now our parents council houses 🙂

I think it helps as a teen to NEED to get out and earn - I hate it when parents help out too much. I don't think it helps teens/young people understand the value of money / work satisfaction. 

And your son has found out that even without monetary gain, working is fun 🙂