The teenage years are a time of transition. Teens are no longer kids, but they're not quite adults, either. They still have the carefree attitude of childhood, yet they are also becoming mature enough to do many things for themselves.

One of the biggest decisions for teens and parents to make together is whether the teenager should get a job. The money earned can help pay some of the teen's expenses, such as transportation, clothing, lunch money and cell phone bills. It could even be used to help pay the family bills. But there are some things to consider before filling out those applications.

- Earning their own money helps teenagers develop responsibility. They learn first-hand that it takes hard work to get the money needed to buy the things they need and want. This is a very important lesson for anyone.

- A job will help your teenager develop good work habits and skills that will help them in future employment. The types of jobs that are available to high schoolers might not be what your child wants to do as an adult, but good work habits translate into any career. And there are certain skills (such as handling money) that are beneficial in many jobs as well as everyday life.

- Having a job can help develop self-confidence. Bringing in an income makes teens feel good about themselves. That self-confidence helps them be more secure in making good decisions, and it can help them reach goals such as getting into their college of choice.

- Working too much can be detrimental to a teenager's performance in school. Students may not have as much time to spend on their homework, causing them to rush through it and do only what they must to get by. They could also become less interested in school when they realize that they can make money without a high school diploma or college degree.

- Work could cut into time for extracurricular activities. Sports are good for teens' health, and clubs can keep them active in their communities. But when they get jobs, they may ditch these activities in favor of working.

- If they don't budget their money, teens could develop poor spending habits. The money they earn from working will probably be substantially more than they received for allowance. They could easily get carried away with it, spending it on designer clothes, music and other non-necessities instead of taking care of their needs and saving a portion of their earnings.

Allowing your teenager to get a job is a big decision, and one that should be made on a case by case basis. If you feel that your child is mature enough to take responsibility for earning and budgeting his own money and still keep his grades up, it might be worth considering. Teens with jobs can be a big help to the family budget, whether they contribute to household bills or just buy their own necessities.