Kidsday: What's the right age to get a job?

While my family was sitting in the airport on our way to Florida, we noticed that there weren't any Long Island T-shirts. So my little sister suggested that we make a shirt that says Long Island on it.

My grandmother, who was traveling with us, came up with the idea to put Longuyland on the T-shirt instead. "It's the way Long Islanders say Long Island," she explained.

Ever since then, my little sister, Veronica, 9, and I have been running a wonderful T-shirt business. I find it a good way to meet new people, learn and have fun at the same time. This made me wonder: Why don't other kids get jobs?

I surveyed 21 10-year-olds (the age I was when I started our T-shirt business) and asked them when they would prefer to get a job. Eight of them said they would get a job now if they could. This also makes me wonder: If they want a job now, why don't they get one? They could try walking a neighbor's dog, mowing the lawn, or even becoming a mother's helper.

Three of the kids said they would rather get a job when they're 11-12ish. That, I understand. A 10-year old might be a little too young to get a job. At least they want to get one when they're older. Of the people I surveyed, 10 said that they would prefer to get a job when they're a teenager.

My survey results show that most people would rather stay kids than get a job early like my sister and I did. That's OK with me. It just shows that I'll be better off in the real world, while other kids are used to sitting on the couch, eating potato chips. But if you want to do well, take after me. I bet you won't regret it.

If you want to get one of my T-shirts, send an email to: orders@longuyland.com

Now that's funny

What do you get when you put a kitten in a Xerox machine?

A copycat.

--Meghan Dealy

What do you call a person who can't flip pancakes?

A flip-flop.

--Isabella Herrera

What did the cheese say when it was about to take a picture?

People.

--Rebecca Economos

Why did the trombone get kicked out of the band?

Because he kept letting things slide.

--Matthew Trapasso

What was the rooster's last word?

"Cock-a-doodle doom."

--Stephen Pappacena

CLASS OF THE WEEK: Laura Connolly's fifth-grade class, STRATFORD AVENUE SCHOOL, Garden City