We did not have good weather for Melanie and Dan's visit. However, family can make good experiences whatever the weather. It was Melanie's birthday. We went to a good restaurant. Her number one son and number 3 son came to celebrate with their mom. Chris' girlfriend, Marge came too. We filled up the table, ate good food and wine and congratulated Melanie. There was another feast at my house on another day. Mostly, with all that cold and rain, We stayed in, watched movies, went through old scrap books, re-read old letters. It was enough that We were together, if only for a little while.
They are now back in Australia and it is time to get the property ready for winter. Tasks that I did not do in the spring, are staring me in the face. Too soon, the leaves will require raking. I am reluctant to do all this yard work by myself, although I am capable of doing it.
Our social service Department has a program called "Rent a Kid"....or is it "Hire a Kid"? Anyways, I signed up for this program. The first mother that called me was some experience. She is the typical helicopter parent. (she hovers) Her son, my potential yard work partner, has never held a job of any kind. He is 17 years old. His mother said that He will be coming with a friend to keep him company....and she told me what she would be charging me....which is more than double what I intended to pay. You can imagine that the deal fell through. First of all, a young man seventeen does not need his mother to apply for his job. Second of all, a paid position pretty much precludes having a friend around to talk to while working. ...or am I that much out of date?
I called the program director back and explained the above. Then, I told him that a young man with no work experience will not be working efficiently. I could just call a landscape company and they will be in and out in half a day with all the yard maintenance done. Even if I pay them more, they will do the job a lot faster than a high school kid. Therefore, I will not be paying any more than minimum wage.
A few days later, the phone rings. It is another mother. Her son is 13 years old, big for his age and is applying for the job. We arrange to meet. This is a good family. We agree to $6 an hour. Then, I get the request that Stephen would like to have his friend help him. I don't know what to say. The mother says that I don't have to pay the helper, but Stephen would enjoy the work more if He had a friend along. I know that this generation is very social. They live with a cell phone attached to their ear. (Stephen has one...so does his friend). I have the choice of forbidding Stephen to bring his friend or to let him bring along his friend. The difference from the first applicant is the age. These boys are 13 years old. I regret saying OK, even as the words leave my mouth.
On the appointed day, Stephen and his friend, Alex appear ready to work. Alex is a small 13 year old. Stephen is man size. They get right to work edging my sidewalk. Over several days, they put down stone blocks to continue the walkway to the curb. They rake leaves. The two work well together, so I tell Alex that He is getting paid, too. For a 13 year old to get a check for $18 is a fortune. They will be spending their money on games.....Stephen has to get his x box fixed. I loved seeing the light in their eyes.
Then, the mother tells me the story about Stephen's helper. He and his two siblings are adopted from Russia. Alex has come from an alcoholic situation. He has malnutrition. His teeth are poor. Apparently, the state took the children away....or they were abandoned and neglected. No wonder Alex is small. He's been hungry. Alex's new mother tells me that although they had very little, the ladies at the orphanage loved the children. When she picked up the three, the workers stood at the door with tears in their eyes. The children never looked back. On the train, all they had to eat was tea and bread. They were so hungry that they tore open the sugar packets meant for coffee and ate them.
I fell in love with Alex...loved his inquisitiveness, learning about all things American. He was confused that I have 2 houses. How come I don't live in the house they are working on? Both boys are rewarded with their checks and root beer (their request). Working makes a fella thirsty.
They are now back in Australia and it is time to get the property ready for winter. Tasks that I did not do in the spring, are staring me in the face. Too soon, the leaves will require raking. I am reluctant to do all this yard work by myself, although I am capable of doing it.
Our social service Department has a program called "Rent a Kid"....or is it "Hire a Kid"? Anyways, I signed up for this program. The first mother that called me was some experience. She is the typical helicopter parent. (she hovers) Her son, my potential yard work partner, has never held a job of any kind. He is 17 years old. His mother said that He will be coming with a friend to keep him company....and she told me what she would be charging me....which is more than double what I intended to pay. You can imagine that the deal fell through. First of all, a young man seventeen does not need his mother to apply for his job. Second of all, a paid position pretty much precludes having a friend around to talk to while working. ...or am I that much out of date?
I called the program director back and explained the above. Then, I told him that a young man with no work experience will not be working efficiently. I could just call a landscape company and they will be in and out in half a day with all the yard maintenance done. Even if I pay them more, they will do the job a lot faster than a high school kid. Therefore, I will not be paying any more than minimum wage.
A few days later, the phone rings. It is another mother. Her son is 13 years old, big for his age and is applying for the job. We arrange to meet. This is a good family. We agree to $6 an hour. Then, I get the request that Stephen would like to have his friend help him. I don't know what to say. The mother says that I don't have to pay the helper, but Stephen would enjoy the work more if He had a friend along. I know that this generation is very social. They live with a cell phone attached to their ear. (Stephen has one...so does his friend). I have the choice of forbidding Stephen to bring his friend or to let him bring along his friend. The difference from the first applicant is the age. These boys are 13 years old. I regret saying OK, even as the words leave my mouth.
On the appointed day, Stephen and his friend, Alex appear ready to work. Alex is a small 13 year old. Stephen is man size. They get right to work edging my sidewalk. Over several days, they put down stone blocks to continue the walkway to the curb. They rake leaves. The two work well together, so I tell Alex that He is getting paid, too. For a 13 year old to get a check for $18 is a fortune. They will be spending their money on games.....Stephen has to get his x box fixed. I loved seeing the light in their eyes.
Then, the mother tells me the story about Stephen's helper. He and his two siblings are adopted from Russia. Alex has come from an alcoholic situation. He has malnutrition. His teeth are poor. Apparently, the state took the children away....or they were abandoned and neglected. No wonder Alex is small. He's been hungry. Alex's new mother tells me that although they had very little, the ladies at the orphanage loved the children. When she picked up the three, the workers stood at the door with tears in their eyes. The children never looked back. On the train, all they had to eat was tea and bread. They were so hungry that they tore open the sugar packets meant for coffee and ate them.
I fell in love with Alex...loved his inquisitiveness, learning about all things American. He was confused that I have 2 houses. How come I don't live in the house they are working on? Both boys are rewarded with their checks and root beer (their request). Working makes a fella thirsty.
posted by gardenbug at Saturday, November 14, 2009
3 Comments:
That's lovely - I like hearing about these kinds of positive experiences. Not all teens are spoiled and lazy.
It's a new world from when you were that age. These guys all have cell phones. They are very social and aware of what is going on around them. Their Mom is involved...monitoring how they are working, giving rides, contact is just a phonecall away.
In contrast, my parents hardly ever knew where I was and didn't seem to care.
It's a new world from when you were that age. These guys all have cell phones. They are very social and aware of what is going on around them. Their Mom is involved...monitoring how they are working, giving rides, contact is just a phonecall away.
In contrast, my parents hardly ever knew where I was and didn't seem to care.
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