Balancing kids' work and play.

Whether a child sells lizards or lemonade, trims hedges or hair, or cleans garages or grills, summertime provides a perfect opportunity to learn about the world of work. A summer job can teach what money can buy and how to begin contributing to one's wants and needs, explains Eric Dlugokinski, a child development expert at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

"Everyone needs to strike a balance between work and play, " however. "This is especially true for young people. if a summer job for a 12-year-old means mowing the lawn next door and earning a little extra money, that's great. But by the same token, if [youngsters become] too engrossed in work - where that's all they do - they're being denied their childhood. If a young person is solely after money, they're getting a false idea of what's really important in life. Nobody ever can really |re-live' that period, so parents need to help their kids keep things in perspective."

Summer jobs can teach young people about work ethics such as showing up on time, cooperating with others toward a common goal, and self-discipline. Jobs - even those as simple as doing the dishes at home - also help them develop work habits that are essential in the real world.

"Work is an important part of life and we all have to learn to do it. But if we know how to do nothing but work, life can become a drag," Dlugokinski cautions. Young people...