I agree with you on this. I have two sons, only 3 and 2 right now, but when they’re teenagers I won’t make them work as long as they pull their weight around the house and stay otherwise actively engaged.
My parents were great when it came to summers when I was a kid. When I made my intentions clear about entering the military early on my parents new I would be plenty busy once I graduated. They let me enjoy my summers. I knew if I wanted to borrow the car or ask for money I had to earn the right by mowing the lawn, doing laundry, etc.
The other great thing my parents did was let me sleep as late as I wanted. I was very active in sports and weightlifting, always training for football in the fall. I needed my sleep. I always remember my buddies who had to go to church early Sunday mornings being jealous when I told them I slept until noon that day.
My parents also made me keep up with academics through the summer, mostly through reading and then discussing the books. I also took many art classes during the summer. Great times.
My folks made out too. I ended up earning a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship for college. They didn’t have to pay a cent. I graduated 4 years later and immediately spent 8 years on active duty. My first “real” job was as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. I wouldn’t change a thing.
So...be careful how hard you push your kids to work a crappy job “for the experience”. I say let them enjoy themselves for those few fleeting summers. They’ll never get them back.
Yeah, my parents were pretty good about my summers, too. They let me enjoy the summers in high school, and I kept a 4.0. In college, I did work part time during the summers, which wasn’t a big deal.