Editorial by Liam...

   Are you wondering how to teach your kid responsibility, hard work and goal setting?  Well, here's your answer, summer jobs.  Not for me you say?  Well, maybe you're more the chore and allowance type of parent.  Either way, you're ready to help your kid learn new things.
   If your child works a job that requires equipment he or she will have to learn to take care of the tools required and always be prepared with back-ups.  The child will need to learn to manage his or her money, save for fun (toys, legos, etc.), save for repairs, equipment, and tithes, and finally save for the future (like college).  They'll also learn to budget time, stick to a schedule and be aware of the calendar.  If their job is outside, they'll need to check the weather before they plan their work days.
     A job will teach your child to work hard.  It's a good idea to work hard or might become lazy and your work will become sloppy. "Do it right the first time and you don't have to do it again.", is what my grandpa says.  If you work hard, you do a better job and pay attention to details.
   Setting goals is another benefit of early jobs.  A kid can learn to first research the price of the thing they want, make a plan to save up for it.  "Make a plan, set a deadline, and act upon that plan,"  Elder Thomlinson says.
      Don't agree with paying jobs?  Chores and allowances will do.  It still gives kids a work ethic.  Some people think 15 and 16 are ideal ages to begin working, but I believe any age is good.  Eight years old is a good age to begin teaching kids to work using chores.  "Chores help kids learn to work as a team.  Together as a family, you are keeping your home clean.  It takes patience, compromise, hard work and a team effort to keep a house in order." says Jessie Williams (aka my mom)
      All these things have made me a better person.  The goals I set are wise and I'm a more responsible kid.  I also thank the people sho made it possible for me to do my job, like my parents and customers.  (I own a lawn care business, and though my job is pretty easy, sometimes, I need a little help from my parents or another person.)  I feel it is important for kids to learn how to work at an early age,  It's an important step to helping them be confident and successful in the future.