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So a kid put an ad looking to make a few bucks, I offered him 20 bucks to take my lawnmower for a walk.  
 
Kid said he was dependable and reliable in his ad. Said he would be by at 430. At 630 I gave up on him showing up, not one word from the kid about not showing up.  
 
I was super disappointed

Deal only with the parents. They need to know who their child is working for.  
 
They may have not agreed with their child going to a stranger's home.  
 
The fact the deal was made over the Internet may have resulted in loss of internet privileges leaving no way to contact you.

Kid mowing grass is hardly grounds for an abduction but whatever there was no contact number just emails. So I sent emails

The parent's contact number should have been in the first email and further discussions through them.  
 
If this child was injured while mowing your lawn, who would you contact? Would this child be expected to carry their health card? But nobody has ever been injured while mowing the lawn ....  
 
Mowing the lawn can also result in the offer of water or other beverage. What if they require the use of a washroom? It can become an easy situation for pedophiles to exploit and that is why everything should be done through the parents.  
 

It was nice of you to offer him a chance. Most people wouldn't, and it was good that you were willing to help him out so he can make some money. I don't blame you for being disappointed. It's too bad, I hope he contacts you with a good reason.

The worst was he said he would be over in 20 minutes at 4:12. Then a no show.  
 
And kat glad you are captain super safety, better make sure he came wrapped in bubble wrap so he would be safe. If a kid wants to make money and is suggesting things like mowing a lawn I am going to assume at age 14 they can mow a lawn without disabling themselves. When I was a boy of the same age I was out mowing grass everyday for cash I wanted to pay it forward, my parents never had anything to do with me mowing grass, surely this kid could've taken care of himself

While it is unfortunate he didn't show, and you did an awesome thing by helping.  
 
I agree with Kat when it comes to the kids safety. I've cut myself BAD making dinner or mowing the lawn and I'm a grown adult. And with a lot of the crap going on in the city lately, a little wariness is not a bad thing and not meant to be offensive.  
 
I'm not a parent but when it comes to my nephew, who is 12, I would be equally as diligent when it comes to him going to mow a strangers lawn.

Hi,  
 
Saw this discussion and thought I might join in...  
 
I think that there is too much hesitation on parent's behalf of their children these in regards to their security.  
 
I also think it was bad form of the kid to say that he was coming and then not show up. I do believe that, yes a phone number and parental consent should be given, but that should be the child's responsibility, not yours.  
 
Lastly, I have a 16 year old daughter who is looking to start making her own money. She has some mental disabilities but is enthusiastic and energetic. If you are interested in still getting your lawn mowed and giving a teen a chance, please feel free to Private Message me and we can go from there.  
 
Thanks,

Garret said "The worst was he said he would be over in 20 minutes at 4:12. Then a no show.     And kat glad you are captain super safety, better make sure he came wrapped in bubble wrap so he would be safe. If a kid wants to make money and is suggesting things like mowing a lawn I am going to assume at age 14 they can mow a lawn without disabling themselves. When I was a boy of the same age I was out mowing grass everyday for cash I wanted to pay it forward, my parents never had anything to do with me mowing grass, surely this kid could've taken care of himself "

My thoughts exactly, wow...  
 
Maybe that's why "kids these days" are notorious for staying inside and playing video games and watching TV.  
 
My boyfriend and I just bought a house... piles upon piles of dog poop in the back yard, included! Dry and everything, no big deal. My boyfriend, being the sweetheart that he is, decided to ask a 7th grade boy down the street if he would be interested in cleaning it for $100. (No need to interject, Katwalk.. we are friends with his parents.. safe situation!)  
 
He said nooo way. MAYBE 1-2 hours of work. Pail, shovel, gloves provided.. probably a drink and snacks, to boot.  
 
I couldn't believe it.. 13 years old and says no to $100 for a little yardwork outside.

boss-x0x said "    Garret said "The worst was he said he would be over in 20 minutes at 4:12. Then a no show.     And kat glad you are captain super safety, better make sure he came wrapped in bubble wrap so he would be safe. If a kid wants to make money and is suggesting things like mowing a lawn I am going to assume at age 14 they can mow a lawn without disabling themselves. When I was a boy of the same age I was out mowing grass everyday for cash I wanted to pay it forward, my parents never had anything to do with me mowing grass, surely this kid could've taken care of himself " My thoughts exactly, wow...     Maybe that's why "kids these days" are notorious for staying inside and playing video games and watching TV.     My boyfriend and I just bought a house... piles upon piles of dog poop in the back yard, included! Dry and everything, no big deal. My boyfriend, being the sweetheart that he is, decided to ask a 7th grade boy down the street if he would be interested in cleaning it for $100. (No need to interject, Katwalk.. we are friends with his parents.. safe situation!)     He said nooo way. MAYBE 1-2 hours of work. Pail, shovel, gloves provided.. probably a drink and snacks, to boot.     I couldn't believe it.. 13 years old and says no to $100 for a little yardwork outside. "

Lol! My kid would be like  
"Ewwww- it's pooo!"  

For $100 I'll do it!! I'll even smile the whole time!

This thread kind of sums up what is wrong with the kids we are raising now a days. Every parent out there is partially to blame very few have little or no work ethic!  
 
To the OP - people are ready to give you excuses. Bottom line - there is no excuse. But it all falls back on the parents - raise your kids to be responsible and to respect others.  
 
When is the last time we heard of a kid getting abducted for going out to do odd jobs in Brandon? OMG or in MB for that matter.  
 
Kids today are taught they do not have to be accountable and have to do little or no chores/work and they will still get everything they want if they whine enough. What are we teaching the younger generation when they enter the work force?  
 
Who cares if they put an ad online to do odd jobs - to me the same as back in the day of putting a sign on a bulletin board or in the local paper. As a parent of 3 teenagers I do not need to know every waking moment of where the job is and doing what! OMG every teenager has a cell phone anyway if you need to get in touch with your child.  
 
I have met countless kids that do not even know how to talk to an adult. They do not even know how to ask for a job or go to a house and knock on the door. A number of them just do not have the social skills to interact unless it is texting.  
 
Kids do not even have to eat what is being served at the table today. What happened to eat what is being served or go hungry? I went to someones house with kids the other day and the mom was making three different meals for the same time (because certain kids did not like the main course - and no they were not allergic)....I could not believe it.  
 
A teenager will not do 1-2 hours of work for $100. What does that say about the parents? I would lose it on my kids if one of them turned down that opportunity. There would be consequences - cell phone taken away - wifi passwords changed - pick one.  
 
Congratulations to those parents out there whose kids want to work and are able to be resourceful enough to get a part time or odd job.  
 
Have a good day!  
 
Edited by Caruso, 2015-06-11 13:00:31

Couple things came to mind when reading this, all just my opinion.  
1.) Not sure of many 14 year olds that use ebrandon. So i would think an adult/parent probably helped this kid make the ad. But that is just my opinion/ assumption.  
2.) If this kid's parents weren't comfortable/ happy with him mowing a strangers lawn, they still should have made the kid contact you and just simply state that. What happens when he has a real job and something comes up and he cannot go in? He just doesn't show? He needs to learn responsibility. I was working at 15 in order to have a cell phone and extra money for spending. Now working as an adult it's insane the work ethic of some people. I am the Assistant Manager of a store, and the amount of people that just don't show up for work without as much as a phone call is shocking. And not just kids, honestly mostly adults. I had one older woman who missed 2 days of work, didn't return my phone calls, finally after the second day i left yet another message and said because i hadn't heard from her it was considered job abandonment and she no longer had her position. She called me back the next morning and said she had missed work because she couldn't find a babysitter for her kids. Not sure why she couldn't have called me the first day and explained that.  
In my opinion it was very nice of you to give him some work to make money, hopefully he contacts you to at least apologize.

I just hope something didn't happen to him on the way over is all. But a I am not gonna be able to make it email would have been nice

You never know if he forgot or what ? But don't write them all off, and it is the parents fault !!!! If someone has never done anything on their own before how can they be expected to do it !! They don't know what they are doing or the expectations of what needs to be done. If it was me and I saw the kids again I would just talk to him kindly and tell him this is what I need done, how it's done and when it's done. If he can't follow through then don't hire again or maybe he can and you taught him something he will carry on for the rest of his life.

Bebop1978 said "You never know if he forgot or what ? But don't write them all off, and it is the parents fault !!!! If someone has never done anything on their own before how can they be expected to do it !! They don't know what they are doing or the expectations of what needs to be done. If it was me and I saw the kids again I would just talk to him kindly and tell him this is what I need done, how it's done and when it's done. If he can't follow through then don't hire again or maybe he can and you taught him something he will carry on for the rest of his life. "

To quote you "If someone has never done anything on their own before how can they be expected to do it?"  
 
THAT IS THE PARENTS FAULT - is it not a parents job to teach a child basic skills - eg) yard work - running a lawn mower, running a weed trimmer and raking.  
 
Cmon

He emailed me saying he was going to be over in 20 minutes then no showed

if you are still looking for someone to help you out with yard work or anything, I have a very reliable preteen that is always looking to make a few bucks. If interested, plz pm me. And yes, he has references if you required.

I just had a wonderful kid come and now my lawn will be cut every week. Happy that I don't have to do it

Garret said "I just had a wonderful kid come and now my lawn will be cut every week. Happy that I don't have to do it "

was it the young man who was originally supposed to cut your lawn? Wondering if he showed up and how this story ends