here's neale godfrey, c.e.o. of the children's financial network. >> in some families, there's not an economic choice-- many teens work after school or during the summer because they must. i'm an advocate of teens working. however, you need to help your children balance work and school and time off. beyond that, i don't believe it's a good idea for a teen to work during the school year. a summer job, however, is a good thing. a good job for teens is one where they will learn something of value. often, some of the best jobs are ones that pay nothing. i'm referring, of course, to volunteer jobs. they frequently involve a lot more responsibility and provide a chance to really make a difference. kids who want to make this kind of positive impact on society deserve our support. perhaps consider a stipend that's half of what they could make at their volunteer job. be involved with your teen in choosing a job, but be careful not to take on responsibility that should be theirs. discuss safety, training, location and sche