a blog for everyone and their mothers
We've pulled together our favorite red, white and blue dream items because it's almost the 4th of July and we are lusting after these amazing must-haves that would be perfect for any get-together! BBQ, family get-together, full-on celebration... wherever you are are - be safe, have fun, and party on! Light a sparkler for us :lol:
Summer jobs for teens are getting harder and harder to find today. There aren't that many options available, are there? The typical summer jobs for teens would be working at a fast food restaurant, bagging groceries, or working in retail. Or maybe, you’re thinking about relaxing and just having fun this summer. The only problem with that might be, who is paying for all that relaxing and fun? If you could create your own work schedule, be your own boss, make extra money, and make your parents happy, would this be something you would be interested in? A part-time job summer jobis a good solution because it allows you to have some fun and earn money to pay for that fun!
Our top 10 summer jobs for teens are great business ideas for those of you who want to be their own boss, set your own hours, work as much as you want to earn loads of money or just some pocket change, and possibly make more than minimum wage:
1. Lawn maintenance - Mowing, weed pulling, raking leaves, and with some research, planting. Initial cost could be very low with a used lawn mower, hedge trimmers, and clippers.
2. Web consultant - Most teens I know have a way with computers, and most adults I know struggle with them. Teens can help adults set up and manage social networking sites, such as “Twitter” and “Facebook,” or can be on call to troubleshoot when trouble arises. Teens can also offer classes in blogging, photoshop or other programs in which they have experience.
3. Nanny - Teens who like kids can babysit during the summer while the parents of young children are at work. This is the ultimate insummer jobs for teens!
4. Dog walker or pet sitter – Animal loving teens can walk dogs or pet sit while their owners are on vacation. I’m always looking for someone to help me with my animals, and I pay $30 to $40 a night.
5. Car detailer - With a few supplies and a little coaching, teens can wash and wax cars, clean vents, and vacuum car interiors right in their own driveway.
6. Errand runner - Elderly people and small business owners often need help running errands.
7. Guy or gal Friday - There are always odd jobs around the house or office that are left undone. Teens can even cook meals for families where both parents work.
8. Cleaning service - For teens who have a sense of what is clean and what is not, this is a great business. Most of the time people who want their homes or offices cleaned buy the cleaning products, so teens just have to show up and clean.
9. Tutoring - Teens who excel at school can offer to help younger children who are going to summer school or who need help with subjects they are having difficulty with during the school year. Parents love hiring teens to help their children.
10. Small business assistant - I have enjoyed hiring teens to help me with different jobs for my business. For two hours a day, they shred papers, organize inventory, help with mailings, make phone calls, clean, and do other jobs as needed.
So, summer jobs for teens are out there, it just take a little creativity. After making a choice or two, you should create a small business plan. List out all the supplies that are needed, how many hours the job will take you, how much money you will charge, and how you are going to market your services. Getting the word out is as simple as posting flyers around town, telling your parents to spread the word with their friends and co-workers, and dropping in on business or service groups to ask if they need your services. Then just get going!
Working for yourself can be both a learning experience and gratifying! And if you have other ideas for summer jobs for teens, let us know! ~ Debra
Teen and parenting mentor, Debra Beck, who has spent over 20 years working with teens and parents, is a devoted mother, sought-after presenter, and author. She has helped thousands of girls develop their self-esteem. She now runs her popular website, EmpoweredTeensandParents.com, encourages girls to be the best “young women” possible, and gives moms and dads the understanding they need to help their girls mature with pride and confidence. Her award-winning book “My Feet Aren’t Ugly: A Girl’s Guide to Loving Herself from the Inside Out”, has been revised and updated for re-release in September 2011 with Beaufort Books.
DIY American flag shorts for the 4th of July a must-do this summer! And with July 4th only a few days away, what could possibly be better than another, an dare we say it, even funkier American DIY Jean Short than our last pair! But what we love about this pair is that they work ANY time of the year since you can use any color shorts, and you can dip-dye them any color! So tailor them for any time of year, for any occasion... like back to school in school colors?
We've bleached shorts and made American flag shorts and seen dip-dyed shorts in fun colors. We were inspired by the bleached shorts on Shop Sweet Life, and took their version way further by adding dip-dye into the process and bringing in some USA pride. We can imagine going wild with a zillion dip-dye options after July 4th: purple, pink, yellow... but in honor of 4th of July and American pride, we went good 'ole red, white and blue to create our American flag shorts. So here goes: follow these steps to create your own dip-dye, bleached jean shorts!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Jean Shorts Rubber Gloves Plastic Bucket or Bin Part 1 (Bleaching): A Yard Stick Regular Bleach Vinegar Part 2 (Dip-Dye): Small disposable container Mixing Stick Measuring Cup Salt Dishwashing Liquid RIT Scarlet Liquid Dye
Bleaching White
1. Wear plastic gloves and create bleach solution by mixing 2 parts water and 1 part bleach in a plastic bucket.
2. Prepare your shorts by looping a ruler though the front or back belt loops.
3. Dip the shorts into the liquid to the desired depth. (The shorts should be sitting in the bleach solution up to the desired height and the yard stick can be sitting on the top of the bucket.) See photos at ShopSweetLife. Leave the shorts soaking for approx 30 minutes. The bleach might creep up about 1" of the fabric, so place a little less of the shorts in the bleach than you want to turn white!
4. After the bleach has turned the shorts as white as you like them, take them out and soak them in a sink, bucket, or bathtub with 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar for 5 to 10 minutes to stop the bleaching.
5. Lay flat, and let the shorts dry. Wash them ALONE.
Dip-Dye Red (or go crazy and do any color!)
Step 1: This is where the creative part begins! Make sure the bleached shorts are completely dry and cover your work surface to prevent any staining.
Step 2: Put on your rubber gloves and shake the liquid dye. Pour ¼ cup into the small disposable container. Add ½ cup of salt to the dye along with 2 cups of very hot water. (Microwave the water in a measuring cup for 2 minutes)
Step 3: In a plastic bin or bucket pour 1 gallon of hot tap water (Note: easiest to warm on the stove), a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and the dye mixture prepared in Step 2. Stir with mixing stick.
Step 4: Wet the part of the shorts you want to dye (in my case the bottom 1/3 of the legs). Squeeze out excess water. Now, start the dipping process. Holding the shorts, with the rubber gloves on, dip the shorts into the dye. Keep dipping the shorts in and out until you feel as though you’ve reached the desired color. (It took me about 5 times.)
Step 5: Wring out excess dye and rinse the part of the shorts that have been dyed with cool water. Then rinse the bottom part of the shorts in warm water, until the water runs clear.
Step 6: Wash shorts in cold water with detergent to help set the dye.
ENJOY your American flag shorts, or back to school shorts, or holiday shorts, or school pride shorts... and send us a photo!
