Hey Buddy,
Today’s a big day — your first real job!
I’m feeling about a million emotions at once: proud, excited, and honestly, just wondering where the time went.
Starting work at 15 isn’t just about making a little extra spending money (though that’s nice too). It’s about building something inside yourself — responsibility, confidence, and a sense of pride that no one can take away. You’re going to learn a lot, way beyond what’s on the job description. You’ll figure out how to juggle schedules, deal with different kinds of people, and push through even when you’re tired.
There will be great days. There will be tough ones too. That’s normal.
Whenever you hit a rough patch, just take a step back and reflect. Think about what you learned and how you handled it. There’s actually a helpful list of reflection questions you can use here. You might be surprised at how much you grow just by pausing and taking stock.
No matter what, always know this: I’m proud of you. Not because of your paycheck or any title, but because of your character — your drive, your heart, and the person you’re becoming every day.
You’ve got this.
I’ll always be cheering you on.
Love you,
Mom/Dad
