Helping Your Teenager Navigate Their First Summer Job.
- Jul 26
- 1 min read
A first summer job is a landmark milestone for a teenager—a shift away from childhood toward financial independence and real-world responsibility. But how can parents best support them through this transition without taking over?
In a recent piece for the Irish Independent, Jennifer Foran (MIAHIP, SIAHIP, ECP), psychotherapist at AnneLeigh Counselling & Psychotherapy shared her expertise on how parents can help their teenagers build confidence and resilience during this key developmental period.
1. Act as a Consultant, Not a Problem-Solver
"Parents who act as consultants rather than problem-solvers help adolescents build confidence, independence and resilience that will serve them well beyond their first summer job."
2. Focus on Practical Preparation and Life Skills
"Support can take many forms, including talking openly about what the job will involve, helping adolescents set realistic expectations, practising everyday skills such as time management and communication, and reminding them that mistakes are a natural part of learning."
3. Praise Effort and Persistence Over Outcome
"Rather than focusing solely on performance, parents should acknowledge their adolescent's effort, problem-solving, and persistence."
4. Listen Before Giving Advice
"Equally important is parents' willingness to listen before offering advice or reassurance. These approaches foster trust, encourage a growth mindset, and strengthen adolescents' confidence in navigating unfamiliar situations independently."
Read the full discussion on teen employment and readiness in the original article:
If you or your teenager are navigating complex developmental transitions, emotional challenges, or school pressures, the team at AnneLeigh Counselling & Psychotherapy provide specialised adolescent therapy and parent consultation across Naas and Celbridge.
