Shape up or I won't let you go to work!

I have a family from Texas who moved in to the house next to my business last year. They are major Bible thumpers and their 16 year old daughter started working for me at the end of last season and is working for me again this year.

The girl is dumber than a pack of tic tacs.

The parents are too.

I don't give her many hours because she is SO dense that she slows down production and that's something I just can't handle right now. Tonight I decided to let her work with me so I could teach her how to utilize her time more efficiently. Things seemed to be going ok and then she tells me:

"My mom has been yelling at me a lot lately because I have a bad attitude. She told me that if I don't shape up, she's going to ground me from the tv and make me quit my job."

Well, that's nice. I'm so glad she's teaching her child to be responsible.

What a dumbass.

Replies

5/14/2008 3:06:22 AM From: PapaBryant Grounding from the T.V. -- I'm fine with that. But make her quit the job?


5/14/2008 3:27:39 AM From: mercury (not saying I agree...) is the "bad attitude" related to bad grades, maybe? Dumber than a pack of tic tacs probably slows things down everywhere and school should be her primary job right now. I know work ethic is important, but so is a diploma. I have a great work ethic, but I wasn't allowed to hold a job until after I graduated high school. (of course, there was also plenty of work at home in the summertime to teach me that ethic.)


5/14/2008 5:55:24 AM From: Jez lay a guilt trip on her and see if that helps. i couldn't do what you do, ali. i'd snap.


5/14/2008 6:47:43 AM From: beags Guh. I am SO tired of idiot kids already- and I'm only 24, still an idiot kid myself!


5/14/2008 9:57:20 AM From: eddo I have parents that ground their kids from church...


5/14/2008 1:06:34 PM From: Feckless Wench Can't they just ground their kids from anything 'nice'? Pathetic!


5/14/2008 1:13:55 PM From: doheney different strokes... so easy to make quick calls, and in retrospect, so often, ( at least for me) i think " what the hell were you thinking?" not enough thinking aparently.


5/14/2008 1:45:04 PM From: emkay64 I agree with merc. I worked through high school and university. My Dad always said having a job at an early age was a luxury. Yah! i know he was a little twisted. The deal was...if the grades slip...the job goes. In all honesty it was easier and more fun working for someone else than it was working for my Dad.


5/14/2008 1:47:15 PM From: Ali Merc - I don't schedule the kids very heavy during the school season because I definitely think their schoolwork needs to come first. This is actually their last week of school and I sat down with each one of them and made sure my scheduling didn't conflict with their finals or study time, so I try to be considerate of their time.


5/14/2008 1:49:07 PM From: Ali jez - I'm about to snap. That's why I'm getting out. Seriously...it's too fukking much.


5/14/2008 1:59:25 PM From: emkay64 I'm not jumping on you Ali really. I know that the work ethic of most 16 year olds today has changed monumentaly. I don't envy your position at all. I see your point too. A job and TV being taken away sounds stupid.


5/14/2008 2:00:28 PM From: emkay64 This is their last week of school? Really!? Our kids have another month and a half. When does school start there?


5/14/2008 2:33:28 PM From: mercury Oh, I understand your point (which is why I put that qualifier in first) just grasping for a reasonable explanation, is all... ;o)


5/14/2008 8:54:20 PM From: Ali emkay - I believe school started the last week in August.


5/14/2008 8:56:25 PM From: Ali Merc - oh I know. The thing is I could totally understand if the mother threatened to take away her job because her grades were suffering. I would have no problem with that. But to take away a job because of a "bad attitude"? Shouldn't a kid with a bad attitude be encouraged to work so they get a taste of discipline outside of the home and school?


5/15/2008 6:34:19 AM From: emkay64 Wow! Kids get out of school a month and a half before we do. I agree with you Ali if the "grounding" is for a bad attitude.


5/15/2008 7:47:59 AM From: mercury Riley's attitude sucks lately... and the more it sucks the worse her grades get. A lot of kids (grown ups, too) consider their work environment to be part of their social life, so not allowing her to work would put a crimp in the social life, as well, especially if mom and dad don't fund her outings. But, yeah... I think I'd threaten to have her hours doubled ;o)


5/16/2008 7:10:51 AM From: Power I've known many parents who've made their kids quit their jobs because their school work has suffered and to most parents, maintaining good grades and getting a good education is far more important than getting a few dollars working a shitty job so they can buy gas and coolattas.