<p>I got better grades in college once I started working 10 hours a week. And that job (shelving library books) actually helped me get a part time job in a severe recession while I went looking for work in my field. </p>
<p>We have told our children that we will pay for college and books and phone (though not the data plan for older son’s new Nexus) and they are responsible for the fun money. Older son makes enough during the summer that he doesn’t need to work during the year. We’ll see how it works out for younger son, who has never had a real job. He’s earned money, selling earrings and helping me out in the office, but he really needs to work for someone else - even if it’s just being a cashier at the local grocery store.</p>