A few days ago, something appeared in the lending library in our front yard that stopped me.
It wasn’t a book.
It was a flyer.
“Leashes & Lullabies, Dog Care & Babysitting with Love, by Mayleen.”
Mayleen is 14, turning 15 soon, and instead of waiting for someone to hand her an opportunity, she created one.
Her flyer offers dog walking, pet check-ins and babysitting. She explains her experience caring for younger children, notes that she is CPR and babysitting certified, and even lays out her services and rates. There is branding, pricing, a description of her qualifications and a very clear promise:
“Care you can trust, love they deserve.”
That’s a pretty impressive little business plan for someone who isn't old enough to drive.
But Mayleen’s flyer also points toward a bigger question for our community: Where are teenagers supposed to get their first work experience anymore?
The First-Job Catch-22
We frequently tell teenagers they need to develop responsibility, learn how to manage money, build confidence and understand what it means to show up when someone is counting on them.
Then they go looking for a job.
And many discover that the first rung of the employment ladder has gotten surprisingly high.
The numbers illustrate the challenge. In August 2026, the national unemployment rate was 4.1% overall, but it was 14.1% for teenagers ages 16 to 19. Among 16- and 17-year-olds, it was even higher at 14.9%. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
For younger teens, the opportunities are narrower still.
Colorado and federal child-labor protections appropriately restrict the hours and types of work that 14- and 15-year-olds can perform. During school weeks, for example, additional limits apply to when and how long younger teens may work. Those protections matter, but they also mean many traditional employers simply aren't structured to hire someone Mayleen's age.
And that is where neighborhood work matters.
Maybe the First Employer Is Us
There was a time when a teenager's first job often came from someone nearby.
Mowing a lawn. Walking a dog. Babysitting. Watering plants while neighbors traveled. Helping an older resident carry groceries. Cleaning up a yard. Feeding pets. Shoveling snow.
These weren't résumé-building exercises disguised as childhood.
They were how kids learned to work.
Someone trusted you with a responsibility. You showed up. You did it well. You discovered that your effort had value.
Mayleen is doing exactly that.
Her flyer lists dog walking for $15 for 30 minutes, pet sitting/check-ins starting at $17, and babysitting beginning at $18 per hour. She's telling neighbors what she can do, what she charges and why they can trust her.
Most adults could take a lesson from that level of entrepreneurial clarity.
Centennial Can Help Create the First Rung
Supporting young workers doesn't mean hiring a teenager for something beyond their ability or ignoring appropriate safety precautions.
It means recognizing opportunities where they exist.
If you're already paying someone to walk your dog, check on your pets, help with simple household tasks or babysit for a few hours, perhaps the responsible teenager down the street deserves consideration too.
And if you do hire a young person, give them something enormously valuable along with the paycheck: teach them.
Explain what being on time means. Tell them when they've done something particularly well. Correct them respectfully when they haven't. Show them how to communicate with a customer. Teach them that reliability matters.
The goal isn't simply to give teenagers money.
It is to give them experience they cannot get until somebody decides they are worth taking a chance on.
That's why finding Mayleen's flyer tucked among the books in our lending library felt like more than an advertisement.
A 14-year-old looked at a difficult job market and decided to make her own door.
Maybe our job as neighbors is to open it.
Want to support a young entrepreneur in our community? Mayleen is currently available for dog walking, pet care, and babysitting.
To learn more or inquire about availability, call or text her at 720-917-4231 (number managed by mom for Mayleen's safety). It’s a simple way to help open a door for one hardworking teen while reminding other young people that their community is willing to give them a chance.
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Just remember, teens are still learning. Be patient. Sometimes it takes a few tries for them to get things right.
Great point, guidance and patience are key when helping teens learn on the job, and those early experiences are valuable learning opportunities for everyone involved.
Glad to see Mayleen took the initiative. Reminds me that helping teens grow benefits everyone in the neighborhood, not just them.
Exactly, when we invest in teens like Mayleen, we help build a stronger, more connected community for everyone.
The lending library always has surprises, but this is a good one! Shows community spirit still exists.
I hope more parents teach their teens to do up flyers like this. Looks professional and respectful.
Let’s be real, $15 for dog walking is less than a lot of the apps charge. Plus, someone local!
You're right, Mayleen’s rates are competitive, and hiring a local teen supports both her growth and the neighborhood.
Gotta admit, I’m always nervous about leaving pets with someone new, but Mayleen seems on top of things with her certifications.
Anyone know if there’s a board where more teens can list these services? I’d rather hire local kids than use an app.
Way to go, Mayleen! Hustling before you can drive is impressive. Hope she keeps it up.
Colorado’s restrictions make sense for safety, but sometimes I wish there was a little more wiggle room for eager kids.
Grandkids of mine are always looking for safe ways to earn money. Maybe I’ll show them this story for inspo.
It's too bad there aren't more starter jobs in Centennial stores anymore. Used to see teens bagging groceries.
My son got turned down at every fast food place last summer. Maybe we should put up posters with local teen services at the grocery store?
We need more Mayleens! My first job was cleaning my neighbor’s garage for cash. It taught me so much.
We hire teens for pet sitting when we travel, it’s honestly the easiest solution and the kids are always grateful.
It’s gotten harder for teens, but there’s still ways to help them get experience if we look for them. And we might even save some money.
Thank you for recognizing that. Sometimes the best training (and value) comes from supporting the resourceful teens right in our own neighborhoods.
Not sure everyone should hire the neighbor kid for everything, but for simple tasks I like the idea. Good luck, Mayleen!
I bet Mayleen will go far in life. Starting young, learning responsibility now. Wish more teens had her drive.
She’s younger than most people would expect for these jobs but honestly sounds a lot more prepared than some adults.
I wish more adults remembered to actually teach young workers instead of just expecting perfection.
$18 an hour for babysitting is kinda high but I get why. It's hard to trust anyone with your kids these days.
The neighborhood used to be where all our first jobs came from. Maybe we need to get back to that.
Babysitting isn't easy, but being CPR certified at 14? Props to her. Shows she's serious about it.
Absolutely, earning a CPR certification at 14 is impressive and demonstrates the level of commitment and preparation Mayleen brings to her work.
Those flyers in the lending library are so cute. I've seen Mayleen's, she put real effort into it.
Evie L.I noticed it too! Her flyer really stands out from the others. Makes me happy to see kids getting creative.
We agree, those flyers are a wonderful touch of creativity and initiative. Mayleen’s attention to detail really shines through.
I had no clue the teen unemployment rate was that high. Makes sense why they're finding creative ways to work.
I remember babysitting for neighbors when I was 13! Glad to see kids are still doing it, even if it's trickier now.
Honestly wish more teens would do this instead of waiting for summer jobs that might not even call back.
Mayleen sounds like such a go-getter! Love seeing young folks finding their own way. Those rates seem fair too.
My kids are almost that age but feel too nervous to start. Stories like this give them a little push. Thanks for sharing Mayleen’s idea.
So inspiring! Reminds me of those lemonade stands, just a bit more grown up! I hope people in Centennial step up and support her.
We're inspired too! Mayleen's entrepreneurial spirit truly echoes that classic lemonade-stand energy, let's hope Centennial neighbors offer the support she deserves.
It really comes down to trust. I’d rather hire a teenager I know than a stranger from an app for dog walking. Mayleen seems trustworthy for sure.
Joel PatelI agree, knowing the family makes a big difference. Plus teens like Mayleen often care more because they live right here.
Maybe schools should help teenagers find these kinds of work, like with a community board or a list of safe jobs for younger kids.
Babysitting was how I bought my first bike. These little gigs matter a lot. Hope more teens pick up on Mayleen’s example.
First jobs teach more than just showing up. I think it’s on us as adults to give feedback so teens actually grow from the experience.
Absolutely, thoughtful feedback from adults is key, guidance and encouragement are just as valuable as a paycheck for young workers.
I’ve seen that flyer! She even decorated it with little puppies. Super cute, and she seemed very mature when I chatted with her.
It’s tough with all the labor laws now, but I get why they exist. We can still help by offering odd jobs around the neighborhood, just like this article says.
Makes me miss the days when every teenager had a paper route or mowed the park lawns. Glad to see someone still doing things the old-fashioned way.
We had a neighbor’s kid water our plants all last summer and it worked out great. Sometimes the young teens just need a chance to prove themselves.
Honestly, $18 an hour for babysitting sounds steep for a 14-year-old. I’d want to know more about experience before hiring, but I respect her courage.
Her prices actually seem fair compared to what I’ve paid. Wish more teens tried this instead of only applying to chain shops that won’t call back.
Way to go, Mayleen. Not easy to start your own thing at 14. If anyone is looking for help, maybe check your block before hiring a big company.
I remember mowing lawns and walking dogs at that age. Good for Mayleen for putting herself out there. The community really should support this kind of effort.