Dear Heloise: The cottonwood trees are busy shedding at this time of year. My husband and I have a screened-in porch. He’d spend hours and use up lots of lake water when washing the screens after the shedding was done. When he passed away, I knew that I wouldn’t be unable to do this task as he did for numerous reasons. So, I found a regular old dust mop, and I used it to wipe down the screens. It was a great deal quicker and much more efficient method than using water and a hose. — Sally, in Fort Wayne, Indiana

SHOULD TEENS GET JOBS?

Dear Heloise: I had to write in response to this statement from the child psychologist: “One of the best things you can do for your child is insist that they work during the summer vacation from school.” No, please! School is difficult and stressful. Work is difficult and stressful. A person has the potential of a long adult life to shoulder the responsibility of employment, earning, and everything else that comes with adulthood.

Some of my most cherished, irreplaceable memories are summer vacations where the last school bell finally rang, and we were free — joyfully free — to play, explore, and learn life lessons. They’ll never learn these lessons by wiping down hubcaps day in and day out until school starts again.

I grew up and became a responsible worker, parent, and member of the community. Now I’m happily retired. Believe me, 40 years in the workforce is long enough. Also, it can be dangerous “out there.” A parent’s primary job is to make sure that their kids are safe from harm and to set a good example.

When summer comes, set them free! — L.G., in California

L.G., I disagree. Studies have been done, and the most successful people all had chores at home and usually held summer jobs. It’s never too early to teach your children that money doesn’t grow on trees and doesn’t go as far as they think it will.

Far too many people live paycheck to paycheck. Too many folks think that they need to have all the latest gadgets. No one asks themselves important questions such as: Can I really afford this? If I buy this item, what other things do I have to do without? Do I really need this, or am I trying to impress someone? Is it better to save this money for college, a car or a house?

So, tell your children to get a seasonal or part-time job and start earning money for some of the things that they want. Learning to budget is a very valuable life lesson. — Heloise

LEARNING TO BUDGET

Dear Heloise: I just wanted to comment on the child psychologist who wrote about parents not wanting their teenager to have a summer job. I am 68 years old and can attest to the importance of teaching young people the value of a day’s work. I was never required to have a summer job as a teen. If I needed money for the movies, roller-skating, or a school outing, my folks just handed me the cash.

As a result, when I got my first job, I didn’t do a great job of saving — just spending! When I got married, I was fortunate that my husband had worked as a teen and knew the value of saving and the pitfalls of debt. Thankfully, he taught me the value of budgeting! We made sure that we taught our children the value of work, saving and budgeting.

I enjoy your column in the Kenosha News. — J., via email

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Heloise@Heloise.com