Opinions Please

tulipsandroses

I am 15 and want to find a part-time job. However, we live in an exceptionally rural area. There is no bus service and the towns closest are a 25 minute car journey away in both directions. My parents are unwilling to give me a lift (even though I've offered to pay) because they say that when they were my age they had already learned to do stuff off their own backs.

Do you think this is unfair?

mizzbiz

If there really is no bus service and it's too far to bike, then yes it's unfair. I always got myself to work but lived in a City. Personally, if there is really no other way to get to a job I do think it's unfair. They should be happy that you want to find work rather than lounge around all day.

But......

How do you get to school? Are there no jobs locally?

I can understand where they are coming from if they perceive there are alternative ways to get to a job that you haven't explored yet. On the other hand, it's their choice to live somewhere so rural that their kids can't get to a job to start with, so a helping hand would be nice!

Bitsy_Beans

Is it feasible to find a job you can commute to on a bike?

tulipsandroses

Hiya mizzbizz,

A school bus comes through because there are quite a few kids at are village but it takes us an hour and a half with all the stops to get there.

Between here and the towns there is a petrol station, some pubs and a couple of post offices. The post offices are due to close and I doubt they'd let a 15 yr old work in either a petrol station or a pub.

tulipsandroses

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

Is it feasible to find a job you can commute to on a bike?

I'm not sure how long it would take me riding on a bike. Possibly an hour? If I was working after school then in the winter I would be riding in the dark and i'm a scaredy cat!. For a weekend job it may be possible though.

jungle_jane

Could your parents make some suggestions as to how they think you could manage without their help seeing as they are so resourceful? Do your parents want to approve your transport plans too? Not sure how many parents would be happy for their 15 year old to hitch hike, for example...

it sounds like you guys need to sit down and talk it through...together you guys need to look at what your options could be and what your parents are comfortable with.

If it turns out that there is absolutely no way it could work it may be that you would need to wait until you are 16 and can ride a moped. In this case, I would expect your parents to acknowledge that they have a home that is just about impossible for you to start working and to see what can be done (within reason) to help you gain a bit of cash and some skills. For example, if you lived on a farm then perhaps you could work on the farm for some money....and of course gaining valuable skills...

kelpie35

I used to stay in the country when much younger and I was able to do some gardening work, messages, babysitting for neighbours.

Would that be possible?

tulipsandroses

jungle_jane wrote: »

Could your parents make some suggestions as to how they think you could manage without their help seeing as they are so resourceful? Do your parents want to approve your transport plans too? Not sure how many parents would be happy for their 15 year old to hitch hike, for example...

it sounds like you guys need to sit down and talk it through...together you guys need to look at what your options could be and what your parents are comfortable with.

If it turns out that there is absolutely no way it could work it may be that you would need to wait until you are 16 and can ride a moped. In this case, I would expect your parents to acknowledge that they have a home that is just about impossible for you to start working and to see what can be done (within reason) to help you gain a bit of cash and some skills. For example, if you lived on a farm then perhaps you could work on the farm for some money....and of course gaining valuable skills...

Hi and thank you,

My parents have said too that I need to wait until I can drive some sort of vehicle myself. Quite how I'll afford to buy lessons or a vehicle I don't know because I'd need a job to pay for them! When I tld them this they said taht I shouldn't get it itno my head that they'll be paying! I just seem to go round in circles with them!

shirlgirl2004

tulipsandroses wrote: »

I'm not sure how long it would take me riding on a bike. Possibly an hour? If I was working after school then in the winter I would be riding in the dark and i'm a scaredy cat!. For a weekend job it may be possible though.

I don't think an hour on a bicycle is unreasonable. OK it means restricting your work to weekends but that isn't too bad. You could also think of some sort of self employment too. Washing cars, baby sitting, leaflet drops, selling goods on Ebay. I could go on but the point is your parents want you to stand on your own 2 feet so it is for you to find something that will work.

tulipsandroses

kelpie35 wrote: »

I used to stay in the country when much younger and I was able to do some gardening work, messages, babysitting for neighbours.

Would that be possible?

I hadnt thought of babysitting, seems pretty obvious now! I really like that idea, thank you.

jungle_jane

It sounds like mum and dad aren't that keen for you to start working?

TBH, it sounds like communicating with your parents is causing you as much frustration as the issue of getting a job! Are you guys able to chat about it openly or does it turn into a disagreement quickly? If so, i wonder if there is someone (like an adult relative) that you might be able to ask to help you to chat to them? Sometimes its a little easier if there is an impartial 'outsider' who is able to mediate?

I must say i admire your attitude...great to see a 15 year old keen on working and taking so much trouble to find a solution...