Monday, May 21, 2007

She has no idea

I barely saw TomGirl this weekend and I have to say I'm a little sad because, well my oldest stepdaughter kinda rocks. But for the grace of TomGirl, I'd probably be tragically unhip. She is the reason I know how to Walk it Out and that I know that large hoop earrings signify how big of a ho a girl is (the bigger the O, the larger the ho is the saying at her school)

I didn't get to see her much because she got a job and worked both Saturday and Sunday.

Yes, she's only 14 and yes she's totally getting paid under minimum wage but apparently she's really diggin her new gig.

She's kind of smart, that gal, and actually networked with the owner of the pony place that we threw the twins birthday party at two weekends ago.
TomGirl has been in love with horses for some time so it's the perfect opportunity for her. She mentioned to me that she'd presented the idea to Sarah, the owner. I thought that Sarah was just humoring her and had no real intention of hiring a 14 year old kid so when TomGirl called me last week in a panic because she'd left Sarah's contact information at my house and needed to call her in order to work, I told her not to get her hopes up.

But sure enough Sarah was eager for her to come to work and so on Saturday morning I dropped TomGirl off at 10 a.m. and didn't see her until 6 that evening.
Sunday hubby dropped her off at 10:30 in the morning and that was the last I saw of her this past weekend.

Crazy, I guess I'm a little freaked that my 14 year old is part of the working world.

I guess, I really shouldn't be. After all, I did get my first job at 14. Popeye's Chicken. Even though I had to wear a uniform that I never could quite get the chicken smell out of I thought I was a badass. I was making my own cash of which I could spend every last bit on clothes, shoes and going out with friends because hell I didn't have any bills at 14. I worked with older , hotter guys and got to stay out late (midnight)closing the restaurant. What more could a gal want ?
I loved that job...until one of the sleazy managers grabbed me and tried to kiss me. Yes true story. If I only knew then what I know now. Can you say sexual harassment, boys and girls... but thats a story for another time.

Back to TomGirl.

So she's kicking ass and taking names and is making her own dough. But its bittersweet. I'm proud of her,yet I'm going to miss her if she comes over and then goes straight to work every weekend.

Unless...

6 months down the road when she realizes her weekends are no longer her own and she exists only to work, this new job thing will loose some of its excitement,right ?

What do you think ? Should I tell her or let her find out for herself that working SUCKS ?

Should I tell her that she'll be doing the grind for the better part of 40 years and ask her if she's sure she wants to start now during the time in which she should be carefree and livin on her parents dime.

Well, maybe I'm being a little harsh. I guess "working" doesn't always suck. I mean I am blogging right now and I'm uh, getting paid and I love blogging. So I guess I'm getting paid to do what I love.

So I guess if she's getting paid for doing something she loves then its all good in tha hood (you didn't think I was that cool did you... I told you I can hang ...phrase courtesy of the coolness that is TomGirl)

9 comments:

Butrfly Garden said...

That's the coolest job EVER. I wouldn't spoil it for her. Maybe this blissful job will just lead to another blissful job and she'll never know what it's like to be one of the drones. That would be cool.

Yeah, let her have her glory. Maybe do something special with her before or after work Saturday?

Queen of the Mayhem said...

The more money she makes on her own....the less you and your husband have to give her....that is at least one bonus!

I'm with you on the working thing....not always the most fun!

I LOVE Popeye's....wouldn't want to work there....but the chicken is GOOD! :)

Cherann said...

Isn't it illegal for a fourteen to work unless its for her parents?

Popeyes Chicken Rocks! The have the best biscuits ever.

Shauna Loves Chocolate said...

Yes, working isn't always fun, but I think it's good for her to have a job right now. If you think she's starting to get bogged down by it, you can suggest she work only 1 day a weekend. I think it's great for her to have taken the initiative to get a job!

Sugar Kane said...

I've never heard that about hoop earrings. I can't wait to share that with a big hoop wearing girl at work tomorrow!

It sounds like you guys have a great relationship. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

What a cool job for her. She will love it for a while, and then she will get sick of it, I am sure. She sounds like a fun kido!

Popeye's huh? DH loves him some Popeye's. Unfortunately, they are not here...hell, the only thing here is McDonalds and Subway.

I would let her ride it out for a while. She will figure how much work sucks soon enough. ;)

Stacey said...

Good ideas Butrfly & Shauna!

And Queen you're absolutely right..it will be kind of nice not to be asked for $ to buy her more minutes for her cell phone every five seconds -

Cherann - No in WA state its legal to work at 14. There are certain hazardous conditions those under 18 aren't able to work in but none of those apply in this situation.The biscuits were my favorite too...sometimes I'd have the cooks make up an extra batch so I could take them home :)

Sugar - You'll have to let me know how that goes with the girl at work. That saying had me rollin' - ahhh teenagers...

Lene- We'll see what happens. I wouldn't really spoil this for her. I'm proud that she took the initiative and if its fun for her then more power to her. But you're right she will probably tire of soon...especially when she meets a boy that wants more of her time on weekends :)

Whiskeymarie said...

I'd let her work. If she gets bored or wants her free time back, she'll find a way to do that too.
Just don't let her work too much. You don't want her looking back & wishing she had goofed off more & worked less, feeling like she missed out on stuff.
I guess...

Brillig said...

Good for her! That's really cool. And what a first job to have! My first job was cutting mold out of fruit in a health-food store in Italy. Hahahaha. I can't tell you how many times I threw up at work!