I have my nieces visiting from overseas who are 12 and 10.
Do you guys know if there is any jobs they can do?
Obviously something suited for 12 year old. Few hours a week here and there.
I want them to work for someone else so they are more responsible.
Also, are you aware of any volunteering opportunities where kids can participate?
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I like the OP's idea, I think your nieces have a good Uncle/Aunt.
My boss seems to carry on like a child all the time, have they thought of getting into IT management? They're probably over qualified already, though.
Become an umpire for a sport. My son plays hockey and referees it at 14 years old and gets paid $10 a game. My soon to be 12 year old could do the same. Theres always openings for umpires as its a thankless task.
At that age I went around spray painting the house numbers on people's gutters.
Actually made a killing.
I remember spraying my neighbours garage door with "I C U P".
Now I understand what you want to do. Sorry, I thought you were trying to find them an actual job.
Plant some trees. My local council has a yearly event where everyone just plants trees and cleans up the park.
Ask your local elderly people's home to see if they need help with anything.
Gardening is always fun. Got any family/friends with gardens?
I don't. But perhaps we could plant some herbs. That could be good project
I use to plant alfalfa sprouts and eat them with mum's spaghetti/lasagna.
Will do that.
Ages you can start work in Australia - https://www.fairwork.gov.au/find-help-for/young-workers-and-…
Pamphlet deliveries - https://www.deliverfordollars.com.au/
Acting jobs for kids - http://www.starnow.com.au/casting-calls/australia/actors-wan…
Charity collecting you get 40% of the takings
If any of your family/extended family own a business, working for them could be an option.
Looks like you have to be 14 to work at McDonalds.
Or just odd jobs around the house could be a good option, vacuuming etc.
They are literally children. This sounds like a horrible idea.
Yeah I kind of agree. It must suck having to look after children that arent your own but trying to look at it as a positive would be good. Sending them off to work gets them out of your hair but because theyre so young its not the greatest idea. Theres a reason why the general starting age is around 16 but obviously 14 for Maccas etc.
Send them to an activity centre where they can at least be with people their own age and make friends. But i guess that costs money?
I think libraries have holiday camps which are free.
Or if you're religious perhaps a Church thing?
Oh yeah church youth/social things are a great idea. Nice suggestions Beethoven ;)
Thanks for suggestion. Will do that as well.
make a 12 yo to work and hope he can get a right attitude and right direction in life, jesus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. perhaps you and your family should go back to school first.
Sorry you got that impression. That is not the point.
only the poor un educated asian who used to the fact of child labor can think to that idea.
My uncle is building a house and needs some helping hands on the power tools. He can probably supply some hi vis from Aldi? He's a generous guy, good teacher, he taught me how to wrestle a snake once
Demostration on how to wrestle a snake would be awesome!
Perhaps you need to learn about sarcasm first.
Poor nieces… 10 and 12 is way too young! Lawn mower is a machinery so they can't use it as way too young.
I would just let them help around the house..
How can you trust having 2 young girls around strangers houses?
If you don't want to welcome your nieces you shouldn't had said yes to have them around.
Why is it your place to teach them responsabilities? Are they staying with you for good?
Find some elderly people you trust and ask them, they will usualy have easy Jobs for youngens that are hard for them. They will likely enjoy the company too.
Thats. I have friends grandparent who i might ask.
There are more important things in life than to make money or start a business. Not denying that kids should learn these skills but I do believe 12 is way too young. Let them be kids. Take them camping, play sport with them, build something with them, day trips to museums, shows, etc. Basically be their uncle.
We will be doing that most the time.
Ok I'll be honest. I was going to say "coal mine" and just leave it at that. But I read a bit more of what OP said and thought a little.
What about running an eBay business or something. Make them research a niche they're interested in. But them some cheap goods to sell. Make them compete with all the others in their niche, answer the customer's questions, find a competitive way to ship that doesn't kill all the profit.
Work for kids isn't legal, but if your kids legit want to work then don't send them to an employer. That's the worst way to earn money in life anyway.
Oh, you said you want them to work for someone else. You know what? Forget it.
Thanks. I must say im surprised it took so long for soneone to suggest that. I already have online business. So, we will try that. It will be fun. Covers photography as well
I'm sure they are computer literate, get them to search the internet looking for bargains for you to post and then reap the rewards and accolades.
Im assuming that was humour as you are obviously aware there is no need to search the internet. Everyone knows you just cometo ozbargain once a day to see what are the latest bargains.
do you think things magically appear on ozbargain?
To work legally in Australia as a non-resident you need a visa.
I doubt that a 12 year old will obtain a visa to work.
They are australian citizens
From my understanding, you need to be 14 and 9 months to legally work in Australia. You could teach them financial responsibility by hiring them yourself, for tasks such as washing the outside windows of the house, mowing the lawn, cleaning and sorting your cupboards. You also will not send them into a risky situation, whereby an indecent proposal may be made to them. Keep them safe. As for volunteer work, I used to read to the elderly at my local nursing home when I was that age. I would ask the receptionist if there were any residents who did not get visitors and go and spend time with them. It is a great service to mankind, morals are a good thing to teach too.
Visiting elderlysounds like great idea.
Why don't you ask them if they want to work a job on their holiday first?
I mean, when I used to overseas holiday at that age…I assure you I wasn't looking to be working during it.
When I was 15, I did some very casual bar work for a friend in Spain, but I mean, there's a world of difference between 15 and 12, let's be honest.
Its their idea. Thats why im just trying to get list together of possible options. Then they can try it out. There are some great ideas.
Well, if it's their idea, good luck with it, friend! Sorry this is drawing so much negative attention towards you - you're acting like a Gent™ about it :)
Uncle of the year award goes to you.
But seriously. I pitty your nieces for having a relative like you. If it was me id be planning places to take them so they can enjoy their holiday, yet you are planning ways on making their holiday shit.
If you want really want them to work why not shop them off to China? In sure some sweatshop in China will be more then happy to take your nieces.
I bet this will he the last time they will ever want to visits you again.
Hey you, are you tryna be mean? ;)
It doesn't sound like she's trying to ditch these kids or turn a quick buck off there backs. She did say a few hours a week, a few…not exactly a life sentence.
To me it sounds like they're family she doesn't get to see that often, and wants to use her unique position to give these kids a gift. Not a cheap toy or piece of chocolate that will be enjoyed for 5 seconds and then forgotten forever, but tools, powerful tools that will expand their options in life and, hopefully, empower them to escape the traps that ensnare most people.
You might consider rigging the game if your serious about this. Talk to your neighbours first, and see if they'd be willing to play along. For starters, practically everyone has a car, maybe they could wash them for a small amount? One place to start would be to talk to their parents, and find out what stage their monetary value system is at. If they've been spoiled, its going to be a lot harder to get them excited about $5, and a lot more difficult for them to sell their services. You go round the block alone, give your neighbours a headsup, and then go again with your neices, and watch them "persuade" the neighbours to wash their car.
You might have subsidize it a little, as even if its very cheap alot of neighbours are going to say 'no' out of reflex, but if you tell them its free you have a much better chance. You also need a target, something these girls are working towards. Example, a trip to luna park if they cover the rides pass (around $30 each). Your still on the hook for parking and food, so its not like they are really self sufficient, but to them it will seem like they paid for a holiday to spain :)
Some pointers -
Don't work them too long. An hour as experienced by a 12 year old is relative to like 4 hours as an adult. If they want to work longer let them, but make them take regular meal breaks so they dont run out of steam.
Make things as easy as possible. If they want to wash cars, having to hunt around for a bucket and sponge can kill off motivation before they even start.
If they fail, don't give them the prize anyway, but don't give them nothing either. Give them a consolation prize. Using the same example, take them to Luna Park, but only buy them 3 ride tickets each. Thats enough for a taste, but will leave them wanting more.
Above all else, if you do rig the game, take every step to make sure they don't find out. A slip of the tongue from a well meaning neighbour turns on entrepreneurial adventure into a pity party.
I understand. I think thats part of experience. I was actually told it was common for kids to make flyers for walking neighbours dogs during holidays. Isnt that common?
Whats part of the experience?
Don't worry, even rigging the game, there is still going to be problems to be overcome. Life has more than enough disappointment to go around
I thought all chinese manufacturers use ethical work practices and no child labour. Hence, lot of manufacturing was sadly going to other asian countries. Isnt that true?
Wow you're starting them early aren't you?
Not really. They already donate their time at a ngo (non goverment organisation) for kids with aids.
So, they want to see what opportunities are possible for a 12 year old in australia. Seems like a lot.
Just make sure you import more overseas kids.. then we can just sack all the Australian workers and replace them with oversea kids.
He is getting ideas so that he can start a 457 kids program of the blind get back in power.
They australian citizens
Get them to do volunteer work at a not for profit tourist attraction.
In victoria we have puffing billy where most of the people there are volunteers.
Thats a great idea. Will look into it for sure
I don't think that will be the best exposure for younger kids. Tourists tend to be giant (profanity) everywhere in the world.
Yeah except we're talking like 10 and 12 year olds. Not sure if they're a bit too young to be volunteering at a place like that
why?
i did volunteering there for a couple of months, nothing wrong with it.
Check tickets, greet customers and just general odd jobs around the place.
And youre 10 or 12 I can see possibly 14 upwards but I dont know 10 etc just seems a bit young
Thanks everone again. They arrive on wednesday. So, ill keep everyone update on how we go.
Again, if it is not clear, jts about empowering the kids to do what they want rather than teaching them responsibility, value for money, etc.
They are in control of whatever they want to do. We live in modern times (safer and supportive) where anything is possible. So its about providing encouragement that they can literally do anything they want and learn from failure.
This is good read:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2015/11/23/empowering-kids-t…
You have stated that they are Australian citizens. I'm wondering whether the Education Act may apply to them. They are of compulsory schooling age. How long are they staying for?
If their return air ticket (assuming air transport) is "open" i.e. no definite return date, then the DEC may view their circumstance as returning to Australia rather than being Australian citizens holidaying in Australia.
It should also be noted that a child of compulsory school age is not permitted to work during school hours.
It should also be noted that a child of compulsory school age is not permitted to work during school hours.
I should have added - "unless they have a Certificate of Exemption from Attendance or Enrolment at School".
Thanks for insight. Great to know that.
Help them learn how to code, or start their own blog, edit their own videos, do graphic design. Teaching them technical skills which allow them to express their creativity and ideas will probably help them in the longer run and encourage entrepreneurship than doing manual labour and having a poor vacation.
Since you're such a nice aunt/uncle buy them a GoPro let them learn on their own. Purchase them domain names (theirname.xyz) and hosting and let them decide what they want to do with it.
Thanks. That is definately on the cards. I came across this yesterday (learning how to code for kids)
https://www.gethopscotch.com/
Newspaper deliverers.
Done.
I(and my 5 otheers siblings+ mum) did local papers community group and examiner and junkmail Salmat & Pmp are the 2 companies in perth.
paid per page on paper and junkmail
local papers community group is great idea. We want to be involved in more community based things.
I remember when kids were kids and we played in the park and used our imagination and creativity.
Now that is extracted as quickly as possible and replaced with computers, phones and high tech gadgetry.
Parents boast of how quick little Johnny learned to use his I Phone or master a computer game, but will they worry when little Johnny cannot read a book, write a decent letter, spell correctly, or work out in his head how much change he should have from $10?
Exactly my thoughts. That's why aim is to go back to basics and have a balance. That way all of the holidays are not spent on computer, ipad, tv and other visually stimulating devices.
Please read the thread. That is unwarranted strong reaction.
If they were boys they could easily find work around the local church.
We found volunteering work at local library to teach dance lessons and story telling to kids under 5. Also, there is beach cleanup on sunday's (by responsible runners group) that I found. We will try other stuff too.
Look in local newspapers for volunteering opportunities I would also add.