Learning to provide for yourself is key to growing up. Learning to work with co-workers, customers and bosses is a quality needed to move past being daddy’s princess or momma’s boy to a mature adult. Understanding how money is earned and not given is essential when moving to your own apartment or starting college in another town, state or even country. Every teenager should take the opportunity to get a job while in high school.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we have homework and AP classes and sports and extracurricular activities and family and friends, but there’s such a thing called time management. Getting a job doesn’t mean working 40 hours a week or spending every afternoon seating people or ringing up people’s items; there are plenty of jobs out there that allow 10 to 20 hours a week giving enough time to do homework and spend time with friends. Find a job that fits your needs and you won’t be spending all your time at work.

I take junior and senior classes this year, doubling up my rigorous courses while maintaining a job. I do get enough sleep and I do have time for friends and family.

Daddy and mommy won’t be there to support you forever but if you say you don’t need a job because you don’t need the money, think again. Jobs provide you with more than just an income. They give experience and qualities needed later in life. For starters, they teach work ethic. Working a minimum wage job will also help you realize that you don’t want to be doing this the rest of your life; encouraging you to go to college and even work harder in high school academics. Plus, learning how to deal with angry customers can teach you how to deal with people in general. Learn which battles are worth to fight and how to effectively communicate can help in relationships and friendships. Learn now instead of later.

Having a job allows you to be prepared for the real world while those parents who shelter their kids by giving them everything they need and want are in for a big shock. When you can buy an extra pair of shoes, or highlights that need to be redone every three months, you understand the concept of money and that it doesn’t grow on trees.

Want to be treated like an adult or even respected? Well, grow up and get a job and stop letting daddy dearest pay for your nails or new rims on your brand new Mustang: Take responsibility.