My son's first job

Today is the first day of my son's very first job.
Well, I mean he has mowed lawns and such, but today he started at a 9-5 type job.
I am very proud of him.

Now, I don't expect that he will keep this job very long. Mornings aren't exactly his forte, and being both awake and verticle by 7:30 in the morning is nothing less than obscene to him.

He has gotten a bit spoiled as a homeschooled kid because "school" doesn't have an actual start time and end time. This job will be a learning experience about things like consistently being on time and the consequences of oversleeping.

I have to admit he looked terrible this morning. His eyes were saggy and he walked with a bit of resentment in his posture for having to be awake. I advised him to put on his happy face and reminded him this was the means to his goal (ehem,,, paycheck).

He has never received an allowance. Not because I have any fundamental issues with giving kids allowance, just because as a single parent household, money's always been a bit tight.

He has 3 goals for his newfound income. He wants to get contact lenses. Then he wants to get his first car. Then he wants to get a ring for his girlfriend.

I don't know if it will all work out that way.
For all I know he'll come home today grumpy, disappointed, and never want to go back again. Or he might work until he gets his first paycheck and decide it's not worth it. Or he might find that working is exactly what he needed in his life and it may open all new doors for his perception of the world.

Regardless of how it turns out, 2 things I know for sure:
1. He will learn from this, and
2. I am proud of my son.