Are you tired of seeing your teenager sprawled on the sofa, spending hours on video games and social media? You may find yourself thinking, “I was much more active at that age,” or “When I was in high school, I used to do XYZ.” You are not alone. I remember begging my parents to help me find a job when I was only fourteen. I landed my first position as a cashier in a fast-food restaurant when I was a sophomore in high school. By the time I earned my undergraduate degree, I had already been working for nearly a decade. I do not see that same level of drive in the new generation. My teenagers would rather stay home, binge-watch television, and eat snacks than look for work. As much as I enjoy their company and appreciate that they are safe at home, alhamdulillah, I also want them to understand the value of hard work and the freedom that comes with financial independence.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, stressed the dignity of labor and encouraged his followers to earn their sustenance through honest work. In one narration, when a man from the Ansar came to him asking for help, the Prophet did not simply give him charity. Instead, he asked the man what he owned, auctioned off his basic belongings, and used the money to help him buy an axe. The Prophet fixed a handle on it with his own hands and then instructed him to gather and sell firewood rather than continue begging. After some time, the man returned, having earned enough to support himself. The Prophet said, “This is better for you than for begging to come as a blemish on your face on the Day of Resurrection. Begging is only appropriate for three people: one in grinding poverty, one in serious debt, and one who must pay a difficult compensation.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 1641). This powerful example teaches us that even the smallest efforts toward financial stability are noble and praiseworthy. As parents, we are responsible for instilling this ethic in our teenagers. While modern times may offer different tools and opportunities, the value of earning a living remains the same.
Getting a job outside the home may not be realistic for all teens, depending on their location, employment age laws, access to transportation, and academic workload. However, there are many alternatives. They can earn money by doing chores, starting a small business, working online, or taking on freelance projects. For example, my eldest son began working as an illustrator for my children’s books through our family non-profit, Hablamos Islam. My other teens have coached or worked the scoreboard at my husband’s Jiu Jitsu gym during tournaments and are paid for their time. Some of my nephews have sold artwork at their Homeschool Market Day, a local community craft fair hosted by their co-op. Thankfully, there are many creative and accessible ways to help our children learn to earn.
Here are seven tips to help get your teenager off the couch and onto a career path:
1. Start them off with housework.
Introduce them to the discipline of doing regular chores and offer compensation for specific duties around the house. If you have younger children, pay your teens to babysit and give yourself some much-needed time off. If you have family nearby, see if your teens can also assist them with their housework. Either pay them yourself or arrange for family members to compensate them accordingly. These small responsibilities can help build a work ethic and a sense of accountability.
2. If possible, get them to work with you.
Remember “Take Your Child to Work Day”? It is one of the best ways to get your teen thinking about their future. Whether you have an office job, own a business, or work with your hands, bringing your teenager along may give them the motivation to start exploring jobs themselves. They might develop an interest in what you do and ask questions about how to pursue that path. On the other hand, they may decide it is not for them, and that is perfectly fine. Let them explore different fields so they can make an informed decision about their future. Adolescent brains are still developing, and their interests may shift over time. Even if your child expresses an unexpected interest in acting or photography, offer your support. Perhaps they will change their mind and pursue a more traditional career later (or perhaps not).
3. Have them shadow one of your friends or coworkers.
If your job does not inspire your teen or he/she is resistant to following in your footsteps, introduce them to someone they admire. Arrange a day when they can shadow this person at work. Let them learn what a typical day looks like and observe the responsibilities involved. If you have an extensive network, the possibilities are endless. Your teen may gain a clearer picture of what specific jobs entail and whether they are a good fit. As with working alongside you, be supportive of their evolving interests and give them space to explore without pressure or judgment.
4. Let your teen do some volunteer work
Some of the best careers begin with volunteering. Encourage your teen to get involved at places like fire stations, hospitals, nursing homes, community centers, animal shelters, gyms, museums, parks, or their local masjid. These environments allow them to contribute meaningfully to their community while exploring interests in a safe and structured way. Volunteer experience often leads to paid opportunities and helps teens build confidence and skills.
5. Explore career development programs at local colleges or trade schools
Look into programs designed for teens and enroll your child in a class that teaches a specific skill. This could include swimming, sewing, auto repair, cosmetology, woodworking, or learning a musical instrument. These skills not only help them discover new talents but also provide opportunities to earn money in the future.
6. Once they are ready, help them prepare a resume and apply for positions
Applying for jobs may feel intimidating for a teenager. They might not be reluctant to work, but simply overwhelmed by the process. Sit with them to conduct an online job search, email leads, and build a professional resume. Walk them through how to apply, prepare for interviews, and dress appropriately. This can be a great bonding opportunity and an empowering experience for your teenager.
7. Get them started on odd jobs
Odd jobs are a great way to start if your teen is not old enough to work for a company. They can mow lawns, assist an elderly neighbor with yardwork, shovel snow, haul trash, or run errands. They may also consider tutoring or teaching a skill they know well. If your child is creative, talk to them about entrepreneurship and help them explore platforms for selling handmade items or print-on-demand products. Use the opportunity to teach them business basics, such as investing, profit margins, and supply and demand.
Once your children reach puberty, they begin transitioning to adulthood, with all the obligations it entails. Watching them take steps toward responsibility and independence is a significant milestone that should make any parent proud. Like every stage of growth, this is a learning process. Offer the young people in your life your time, wisdom, and patience as they navigate their first experiences with work and earning. Support them with love, equip them with knowledge, and guide them with compassion. Most importantly, follow the prophetic example by teaching them the dignity of labor and the value of becoming independent. Even if they are a bit reluctant initially, they will inevitably thank you for it later.
Author bio: Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from toddler to teen). She co-founded Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.
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