My youngest doesn't work. I told both of the girls that if they keep their grades up that they don't have to work during high school unless they want to. My youngest has mentioned possibly working this year. The scholarship money they can get for good grades is worth more than the little bit of money they would make working part time at a minimum wage job. My oldest does work now. She has worked summer and fall breaks the past few years since she's been in college and is working about 30 hours a week right now. By keeping her grades up, she saved us 15k by getting scholarships for academics. My youngest does orchestra, tennis, and science Olympiad in school and my oldest did orchestra and theater in high school. The activities and homework don't leave a lot of time for working. I have to admit that I am looking forward to the girls becoming independent one of these days.