When I was in high school, I had a job. My parents did not force me to get a job, but they strongly encouraged it. One of my sisters had a job, and one of them played a sport, so she didn't really have time for a job. But during the summer she got a job along with continuing tennis. Once I got to college, I got a job almost as soon as my parents drove off the campus after helping me move in. Like I said, our parents never forced us to get jobs, they just strongly encouraged it.

My parents' strong encouragement to get a job gave my sisters and I a strong work ethic. It gave us a foundation to get jobs in the future. I know people who never had jobs in high school, never had jobs in college and struggled to find jobs when they got out of college because they didn't have that background. A potential employer couldn't look back and see how they had worked in the past. But with my sisters and I, they could. Even though I had a job and I was making money, I knew I always had my parent's support if I ever needed it, but so far I haven't needed it because of the things having a job taught me.

I was taught how to work hard because no one wants to work with someone who slacks off. How to find something to do when I thought there was nothing to do, because if your manager walks in and you're doing nothing--that is not a good feeling. I was taught how to fill out applications, resumes, and tax forms, and with every job, I had to do something different, and I adapted and learned. I was taught customer service and patience because when someone is yelling at you for something that is not your fault, or that you can't control, all you can do is smile, apologize and be patient with them.

I've learned that when you don't have good management, your job can completely suck, but eventually you'll find a new job or you'll get a new manager. I've learned that when you get used to having a job, and you're transitioning in life so you don't have a job for a brief period, it can drive you crazy. I've learned how to make friends with all kinds of people that I still keep in touch with no matter how long it has been since we worked together.

I am absolutely not saying that there is anything wrong with not having a job or not making your kids get jobs. However, it helps teach life skills. It helps teach social skills. My parents will always take care of me. However, I have the skills I need to get a job, even if it isn't a career, it's a job. I will always have the skills I learned working. Even if I lose everything else, I will always have that.

I am thankful my parents encouraged my sisters and me to get jobs because parents teach us lessons all of the time. All of the lessons from parents taught us how to be on our own, how to take care of ourselves, and how to function productively in society.