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Mom shares video of her picking up 14-year-old son after his first day at 'real' job

"Sheldon! You are officially a working man!"

Image via Reddit/CremeSubject7594

Mom shares proud video of 14-year-old son's first day of work.

Getting your first job is a major milestone moment for most teens. It's a first taste of freedom and a nice paycheck to boot.

For 14-year-old Sheldon, his mom Lexy is making sure she knows how proud she is of his new career status as an employee at grocery chain Publix. In a sweet video, Lexy shared what it was like picking Sheldon up from his first day of "real" work.

"Our 14 yr. Old got his first “real” job today @Publix Our 4th son in a row they’ve hired 💚," she captioned the video.

@blendedlyblessed

Our 14 yr. Old got his first “real” job today @Publix Our 4th son in a row they’ve hired 💚 #parents #teen #grocerystore #publix #job #working #boymom #proudmom #workethic

Sheldon hops in the car and Lexy can hardly contain her excitement. "My baby just got his first job! Just went through orientation," she says as she pulls up. She asks Sheldon about when he will get his uniform, and she asks to see his new name tag.

"Sheldon! You are officially in the corporate world of life, business, working...a working man!" she says. Sheldon responds, "Working 9 to 5 forever!" Lexy loves it, adding, "Working 9 to 5! Not really, but..."

Sheldon continues to show her all the new hire paperwork he received, and Lexy asks him if it was a long day at orientation. He walks her though the whole day, from walking through the store to food prep. "I didn't know that they actually cut up their watermelons in the store! And the fish. I saw them cutting them up," he says.

He talks about setting up direct deposit, and how his first paycheck will be a physical paper check, before adding he worked in the office and also saw the freezers. "I've got to hit the hay," he says as they pull into home. I'm exhausted!"

@blendedlyblessed

14yr. Olds reaction to his first paycheck from @Publix #parents #teen #grocerystore #publix #job

The video got lots of encouraging comments from viewers. "Aww I don’t even know y’all but I’m so proud of him!! Publix is such a great employer, they have awesome benefits and are great to their employees. Way to go mama, teaching responsibility and a good work ethic!" one wrote. Another offered "14 so young, but I guess learning young will teach him responsibility in life and working hard congratulations buddy you got this."

Others agreed that 14 was too young for him to be working. "Let this kid be a kid!" one wrote, and Lexy replied, "Ok. I’ll let him sit and play video games all day like all the other great parents are letting their kids be kids right now 🙄," she wrote. In another comment she added, " It’s sad so many people don’t want their kids to learn work ethic that really is only taught as children…:when they try to pick it up at 18 it’s just forced bitterness and entitled and never ingrained work ethic."

@blendedlyblessed

14yr. Old Sheldon recounts his work day @Publix! He’s loving it! #teen #boymom #financialliteracy #hardwork #employee

Some people further debated if 14 years old is too young to work. "Never should one exist where we promote children working instead of children fulfilling their lives and interest. Stop downplaying the evils of capitalism," one commented. Another added, "I started working at 12 at a family friend's bar washing dishes. Some work younger in family shops and restaurants. Some work in factories despite the law. Legal work at 14 doesn't seem so bad or like an issue culturally or legally when children younger work out of necessity."

The U.S. Department of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has set the minimum age for employment to be 14 years old, and also puts restrictions on hours for employees under 16 years old.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

However, Lexy noted in the comment section that Sheldon was only working a handful of hours. She shared, "😂😂😂 As if his 10 hours of work each week kills his childhood 😂😂😂."

Another viewer commented, "I'm sure she isn't forcing her kid to work & I'm sure she still pays for everything. But its important for a kiddo to learn money management, to feel how good it is to buy something you REALLY REALLY want, with your own money. He seems like he has a great attitude & happy to work based on that smiled plastered on his face."

Lexy added more details about why Sheldon chose to work, and explained that three of her older sons also began working at Publix at 14. "He’s so excited! We still pay for everything of course but if he wants a car, he will have to start saving for that and a job is needed for that. Everyone is projected to have around 12-14k saved by the time they graduate high school if they don’t buy a car in that time. Oldest son did it. 2nd son is right there. Next one is on his way. And now this one will be too. Everyone enjoys working and having their own bank accounts, debit cards, etc.," she shared.

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People are loving this dad who wears his baby to work. Here's why it matters.

For Tom Williams, a chiropractor from Chicago, every day is bring your son to work day.

At his family-based practice, which he runs along with his wife, Lauren, Tom is used to having kids in the office. In fact, his new son, Oliver, was nearly born there — Lauren was staked out at the front desk when she first went into labor.

Photo by Mike Williams/Livesidemedia.com, used with permission.

After some recovery at home, the couple wanted to get the business back up and running again, but as parents and entrepreneurs, it was a challenge. Tom loved helping take care of his wife and new son, but wanted to get back to taking care of his patients too.

So together, Tom and Lauren came up with a pretty cool idea.

A few days per week, Oliver comes to the office where he splits time at Mom's desk and strapped to Dad's chest.

Tom was photographed by a patient earlier this month wearing a contented Oliver while casually giving an exam, and people across the internet are absolutely loving it.

Photo by Roots Family Chiropractic, used with permission.

"Just seeing Dr. Tom, he's such a calm doctor and such a loving person and I thought he was going to take the baby off, but he said, 'Nope the baby's sleeping' and started adjusting all of us,'" the patient who first shared the story, Genia Rackos, told ABC News. "I think he shows a really good example of what work-life balance is. He wears his baby with pride and it stands for everything he's about."

Photo by Roots Family Chiropractic, used with permission.

"I wear him in the office because it’s a chance for me to strengthen our bond," Williams says. "I truly love wearing him and that’s why we do it all the time. "

Tom is quick to point out the emotional and biological benefits of baby-wearing. But there's something even bigger at play here.

Photo by Genia Rackos/Facebook.

It's not uncommon to see a waitress taking orders with a sleeping baby across her chest or a small bassinet tucked in the corner of a cubicle in some corporate office.

In fact, companies are slowly growing more and more comfortable letting parents bring their babies to work.

Here's the catch: Figuring out what to do with baby during the day usually winds up being the mom's problem. A survey done by Parenting.com found that moms often wind up doing the lion's share of caretaking.

But the tide is turning, with more and more dads feeling empowered to take on a larger, if not the starring, role in raising the next generation of babies.

Guys like Williams are leading the charge, proving what moms have known for years: You can be a great parent and be good at your job, but no one ever said it'd be easy.

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They pour their hearts into caring for others, but many can barely support their families.

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SEIU

"I know that a lot of the children, they’re starving by the time they get to my home in the morning. And a lot of times, you can just see it. They’re weak. And you can look at the parents and you can see that they’re weak. I sacrifice my groceries, I sacrifice water, sometimes I have clothing from other children ... sometimes I’ll sneak them into the bag. There have been times when I've gone to the Salvation Army if I had extra money and I know that there was a child in need."

Nicole Small, a child care worker in Detroit shared the above story. This is her reality. And she's not alone.

You see, there are people who love their jobs. I mean really love their jobs.

Their work makes them feel fulfilled. It makes them feel purposeful. They're giving back to their community. They're helping people who actually cannot help themselves. They're shaping the minds of young children whose parents are struggling to put food on the table. They are their client's backbone. They hold them up and keep them strong as life throws challenges their way. They're proud of what they do.

But they go home after spending eight or more hours at work and often can't afford to put food on their own tables.

Nicole Small, a child care worker in Detroit. All photos via SEIU, used with permission.

Many times, they have no savings, no chance for retirement. Often they can't afford to own a car, and if it's a necessity they can't get away from, they can't afford gas. Still, they refuse to feel hopeless.

This is a reality for so many child care and home care workers in this country.

They work hard every day, doing jobs that are absolutely necessary — in many cases saving lives. But they can't support themselves. They make such a low wage that basics like socks need to be budgeted for. They're on public assistance and are barely scraping by. And many of us don't know about it. But as leaders in the Fight for 15 movement, they're making their voices heard and sharing their stories.

Home care and child care  workers at a Fight for $15 rally.

Many care workers struggle every day to make ends meet:

Nicole (child care)

"To be honest with you, it’s hard not to [survive]. When you’re looking at those children, it’s hard not to. I don’t know, you just kick into survival mode ... it’s just a part of your everyday life. Does it get exhausting? Are you tired? Absolutely. But what are you going to do when you have children here and you know that they need you."

Melissa Benjamin (home care)

"As a woman and working in home care, I have found myself completely dependent on my husband for everything. Even gas to get to my job. Because my job doesn’t pay a wage where I can support that. And so it creates this co-dependency on other people ... and there’s not a lot of dignity in that."

Melissa Benjamin, a home care worker in Colorado.

And as they fight for fair wages and a voice on the job, they’re worried that people don’t understand their struggle.

Denise Major (home care)

"You’re going to do work above and beyond the call of duty anyways simply because that’s someone that you love and you care about. ... It’s like you’re working but you’re still in poverty. And you’re working long hours and you’re working alone."

Denise Major, a home care worker in Pennsylvania.

Patricia Walker (home care)

"Everybody can’t do it. ... It takes a special person to go into somebody’s home and take care of them and give them that love and attention."

Sepia Coleman (home care)

"We are invisible. We’re not appreciated. We’re totally disrespected. And we have more financial struggles than time allows. We are literally the lowest paid people in our field, with the population of people that we work with."

Pavonne Scott (child care)

"We work so hard, tirelessly with the children, and then we can’t come home and pay our own bills. You’re giving so much and every day that you give goes straight to the bills. And that has been the biggest challenge."

Home care and child care  workers at a Fight for $15 rally.

Melissa (home care)

"I wish people knew that it requires skill. A lot of people will say, 'Well, it’s just home care; you’re just like a babysitter. Why would you need a fair wage for that? All you’re doing is cooking and cleaning.' But no, there’s more that goes into it than that. There’s a lot more that goes into it."

Still, they show up for work every day, in spite of the challenges, because they love their jobs and know how vital they are.

Patricia (home care)

"I love what I do. I love my people. I don’t call them clients anymore because I’ve been with them for a minute. So they’re like my family. ... I want to be involved with them and I just love what I do. That’s the only way I can say it. I love what I do."

Pavonne (child care)

"The children need teaching. The children are our future ... it’s a heavy responsibility."

Pavonne Scott, a child care worker in Florida.

Melissa (home care)

"I’m a caregiver. I know people need care, and it’s what I do. And also, I like home care because I find that people are happier in their homes. When they’re in their homes, they feel secure and valued and comfortable. Knowing that there’s a need for that has kept me in it."

Nicole (child care)

"If you really care about the children, the quality of their education and the quality of their life, that’s what you do. You just jump in, and you help out in any area that you can."

Sepia (home care)

"I know that I am doing a good service to someone who is in need of care. And I know that one day, it could be me ... that’s what keeps me motivated and keeps me going."

Sepia Coleman, a home care worker in Tennessee.

And they’re fighting for $15 and a union because it gives them hope that better days are around the corner.

Denise (home care)

"I know I have a voice now. I know I no longer have to suffer in silence, and I can help other home care workers to kind of help them help themselves. ... We have a unique situation because we all work in separate places, so we rarely ever congregate unless it’s a rally or something like that. ... So I just want to let other home care workers know that we’re not alone. ... We have a voice and we can call each other. And we can kind of feel like we’re not on an island by ourselves and feeling stuck and helpless."

Sepia (home care)

"Everybody that has a job should have dignity and respect ... every job is not for everybody. But if the job is done in the best of performing, please show that person that you appreciate them. Don’t have a person working for your company eight or nine, 10 years, and they have to come and beg you for the compensation of a raise. It’s not fair to them. We’re not slaves, we’re people."

Patricia (home care)

"I ride the bus to my clients every day. I can’t afford a car. It’s very important to me that no one that’s coming up after me has to go through what I’m going through. Or what I’ve been through."

Patricia Walker, a home care worker in Florida.

Nicole (child care)

"It means that our children will be able to be more competitive when they go to a standard school like kindergarten or middle school ... they’ll have a better education and they’ll have a better quality of life. That’s what it means to me for the children. And what it means to me for myself? It means that I can give them more."

Melissa (home care)

"That’s what this movement is about. It’s about dignity. Giving dignity to the home care workers and the client."

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Jimmy has built a wonderful life, but his diagnosis presented some unexpected challenges.

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Muscular Dystrophy Association

Growing up, Jimmy Valdes' parents raised him to focus on all the things he could do, not the things he couldn’t.

Jimmy was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in 1971 when he was only 4 years old. SMA is a degenerative spinal disease that causes weakness of the voluntary muscles — often those in the shoulders, thighs, hips, and back. People who have it usually need assistance to complete physical tasks.

Check out Jimmy's story here, or read more below:

As Cuban immigrants, Jimmy's parents were driven and determined to give their family the most normal life possible. They took him on family vacations. He played catch with his dad. He went to school and went on dates and read comic books.

His parents made it clear to him that he would always need help but that nothing was impossible. And he believed them. Jimmy told Upworthy, "If not for the decisions they made back then, my life wouldn't have turned out the way it did. And it's still a work in progress, it's every day, every week, every month."

Jimmy can't do everything, though, and needs caretakers to assist him through his daily routine.

He needs help completing all physical activities, from hygiene to meal prep to transportation. This is a reality that he's dealt with for most of his life, and he hasn't let it limit him.

There are systems and programs in place to help people like Jimmy who live with disabilities. Unfortunately, those supports sometimes fall short. Jimmy’s reality is proof of that.

All images via Muscular Dystrophy Association/YouTube.

You see, in spite of Jimmy’s severe disability, he does not qualify for disability benefits.

He's the breadwinner in his family — he has worked for CBS for over 20 years — and because he earns an income that exceeds the amount allowed, Jimmy does not qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration that would help him pay for the care and services necessary to live his everyday life.

Almost all of his care he pays for out-of-pocket.

And the costs are astronomical. He said he spends hundreds per week on caretakers. He even quipped that he's been audited by the IRS a number of times because they couldn't believe that a single man had such exorbitant expenses.

As he put it, "it costs more for me to live life."

The Social Security Administration makes it clear that it's possible to work and receive benefits, so long as your earnings aren't "substantial." What does that mean? For 2016, the SSA site says that per month, "we consider earnings over $1,130 ($1,820 if you're blind) to be substantial."

So, you can be making a barely livable wage, especially in a city as notoriously expensive as New York City and not qualify. If you make more than the figures mentioned above, your care isn't covered.

This is Jimmy's dilemma, and he’s not the only one.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association shared a post on Facebook asking for comments and insight regarding efforts to work while dealing with a muscle-debilitating disease. The responses are telling.

One person mentions that, like Jimmy, he doesn’t meet the stringent income requirements to receive benefits, but that "as long as I can work that is a far more fulfilling life then having to watch every cent to be sure I'm poor enough." Another person mentions that she is "afraid to get any kind of raise or promotion due to income caps."

These are men and women who want nothing more than to live life on their terms but who are, in effect, limited by a policy that is meant to serve them.

The very system that was built to support them has let them down.

As hard as it may be to pay for his care and continue supporting his family, Jimmy isn't letting it prevent him from living the life he dreamed of.

He continues to work because he genuinely likes what he does. He's built a career and has a network of people who support him. He met and married the love of his life and is devoted to her and her family, all of whom remain a source of endless inspiration for him. He goes to concerts and games and makes every effort to enjoy the life he's worked so hard to build.

In addition to working hard toward his own self-sufficiency, Jimmy is focused on helping others in a similar situation have the opportunity to live life on their terms.

He wants to use his voice to bring awareness to the issues that people who have disabilities face and to help find solutions. He wants everyone to have the opportunity to live life their way, much as he has. And he wants the systems that are built to support people like himself to not be the very thing that limits them.

He's not yet sure where to start, but he's determined.


People with disabilities can and do live meaningful and contributing lives, and we can work together to help ensure that the systems intended to lift up individuals with disabilities do not hold them back.

MDA is proud to be part of the collective effort to break down barriers to meaningful employment for those living with disabilities, including looking at ways to help individuals work while keeping benefits like personal care in place. Get involved today by joining MDA’s advocacy efforts, contributing to help individuals like Jimmy live unlimited, or sharing your story about how you balance employment and personal care needs by emailing advocacy@mdausa.org.

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