Summer Help
Here is a blog I posted 8 years ago. It is a good read and has anything changed in 8 years or has it gotten worst? Enjoy the read anyway.
I posted this blog in June 2010 and re-read it recently. It is well worth a re- posting. Not much has changed in the last 4 years. Enjoy the read.
Have you noticed that it is next to impossible to find kids to help with summer work around the house. I have tried for the last 3 years. It is unbelievable what the kids expect and there are so few of them that want to do outside work. They refuse to work at a fast food place for minimum wage yet want to do minimum work. If you do find someone they are slow, can’t think for themselves and you have to watch them and tell them in detail what to do. What would they do if they lived in the U.S. where there is no minimum wage law? I know times have changed but as a kid I would jump at an opportunity to do work for a neighbor and make a few bucks. I had to work on the farm for my Dad for free or as he would say ” You have to earn your keep or who do you think is feeding you? ”
Here are some of my experiences in recent years while either trying to find some help or with the kids that I did hire but did not last long.
1) Yes sir, I can rake leaves, wash cars, trim trees, wash windows. I charge $ 20.00 an hour and $ 25.00 an hour if there are black flies.
2) Yes I can cut lawn. What kind of a riding lawn mower do you have? I don’t, I have a push mower with no motor. No thank you sir?
3) Start time 9:00 am. Arrival 12:00 noon. Sorry I am late my mother slept in and did not wake me up.
4) Start time 9:00 am. Arrival 1:00 pm. Sorry I am late my brother had a bonfire last night and invited me to the party. I only got 4 hours of sleep.
5) Can I work with my head phone?
6) Could I have something to eat and drink I did not bring anything.
7) After 4 hours of work. I did not realize you wanted me to work all day.
8) At lunch time. Can you pay me tonight for my work? How much will it be anyway?
9) I can operate all sorts of equipment and power tools. Can you use a rake, shovel, push mower, clippers, hammer, etc.? Reply: Are they powered?
10) Would you take this hand saw and cut those tree branches? Don’t you have a chainsaw?
11) Please wash all my outside windows. Here is a bucket, water and rags. Don’t you have a power washer?
12) How often are my breaks? I have to check my text messages.
13) Do I have to work this Saturday?
14) I can’t work any night after school because I hang out with my friends.
15) Don’t tell my mom I am working for you. If she finds out she’ll want me to do the same work at home and she won’t pay me.
16) Can I bring my girlfriend? Will she be helping you because I only need one person? No she will just sit and watch me.
17) Will you pick me up? My car is broken. What about your bike? I have not ridden my bike in years even my motorized bike is broken. Oh, you will get them fixed with this money. No, I want a new cell phone.
18) Pick and move these rocks. Don’t you have a tractor to do this?
19) Paint this porch, here is a paint brush and a can of paint. Why don’t you buy the spray cans?
20) I can’t accept your job because my cell phone does not work at your place.
There are many more reasons and examples but I am getting frustrated just writing about these incidents. Bottom line, I am no longer looking for help unless is shows up at my door step. Instead I have accepted the fact that kids do not want to work so I will take my time and do it myself. If the work gets done great if it does not get done that is OK as well.
