Put Those Kids to Work (Sorta 😜)

Hi mamas-

Summer is approaching, which means that our kids are going to have A LOT more free time. And how they spend it can have a pretty big impact on the types of people they become in the future.

No — we’re not suggesting you create a round-the-clock itinerary for every moment they’re not at camp. What we’re talking about is earning some cold, hard cash. Even for your littles!

Yep — put those kids to work!

This week we’re looking at the ways our kids can begin to explore their independence. That includes getting a job (or side hustle if they’re too young), and advocating for themselves when they might prefer that you do it. 😜

Plus, we’ve got a great conversation about the importance of work and WHY we do it, especially as working parents.

We’d love to hear how you foster a sense of independence in your own kiddos in the comments at the bottom!

Enjoy!

This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🎙️ Why Our Kids Need to Work 

• 🗣️ When Kids Speak for Themselves 

• 📢 Helping Kids Find Their Voice

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣  🎙️ Why Our Kids Need to Work

Recently our founder, Paula, hosted Business Coach Christy Wright on her podcast The Paula Faris Show. The two discussed the importance of having our kids work, and how teens with jobs (and younger kids who have a little side hustle) build confidence and character (not to mention a little extra spending money.) We already know that daughters raised by working moms earn at least 23% more than those whose mothers did not work outside the home, and sons of working mothers are more likely to contribute to the home, promoting more equitable gender roles in adulthood. But as for the kids? Those who work as teens tend to have higher grades and earn higher income in their 20s. Listen to the episode to see why kids should work and and what to do when they don’t have a desire to.

Plus, Christy shares great advice about how to have the conversation with your kids about WHY we work.

2️⃣ 🗣️ When Kids Speak for Themselves

When your kid needs or wants something from an authority figure, what do you do? The nurturing parent in you might want to jump in there and approach the adult on their behalf. But in reality, not letting your kiddo do the talking could be hurting them in the long run. Encouraging kids to speak for themselves, even (especially!)  in uncomfortable situations, can boost their self esteem, support independence, and help them develop strong communication skills. So the next time your child is selling something for a school fundraiser, needs to miss a sports practice and is nervous about what coach will say, or is hoping for an opportunity (like a summer job), let them do the talking. It’s the best gift you can give them. How have you encouraged your kids to speak up? Let the mamas know in the comments at the bottom of this newsletter! 👇🏻

3️⃣ 📢 Helping Kids Find Their Voice

Things like getting a job and advocating for themselves might be uncomfortable for some kids at first. Anyone shy, or who hasn’t had ample opportunity to articulate their thoughts to adults outside their family, might feel like a deer in headlights. That’s why we love Talking Point — 200 kids conversation cards that get the kids talking and learning to express themselves. What do you do to help your kids speak up?

🌞 BONUS! Savor Your Summer Workbook

We all know that summertime can mean even more stress for us working moms. This helpful workbook will:

• Identify stress points and recognize what we love about summer

• Create rhythms that set you AND your kids up for success 

• Provide lists and charts for quick access

• Provide scripts to help you own your communication

• Share helpful resources and favorite summer items

Enjoy!

📰 IN THE NEWS

Strava is Tackling the Motherhood Penalty with $300K in Grants

➡️ Strava, the social network and GPS tracking app for athletes, just announced its “Childcare So They Can Get Out There” grant in partnership with For All Mothers+. The purpose of the grant is to help mothers overcome a top barrier to race and work participation: access to childcare. Strava will fund 50 grants of $2,000 each to offset the cost of childcare, travel, and support. Read more and if interested, apply here.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎

for working moms with older children

• If your teen is planning to join millions of other young adults in the workforce this summer, make sure they’re aware of the tax implications of being an employed person. To put it into perspective, if someone earned less than $14,600 in 2024, they did not need to file taxes in 2025. If your teen is earning that much, good for them! But even if they aren’t, understanding taxes (and all that goes with it) is an important skill for life. This article breaks down the basics, including important forms to know about (like W-2 and W-9.)