But then, you put a lot of work in your business, and it works! Yes, you are getting orders, and making some money, but the flip side is that you don't have as much time for your little ones. How do you then balance your time? Do you still put your children first? Or do you go for the "just a minute honey!" line and hope they can't tell time?
It happened to me: one day, during my first Christmas season in business, I was busy with an order for 150 gift baskets. It was hard work, and stress was running high. The deadline was approaching, and I had no time to stop to even straighten the room.
There were boxes with product everywhere, there were empty boxes, and there was gourmet food everywhere: a true disaster area! And just then, my 4 year old daughter (now 11) came to me with her big brown eyes in tears: "Mommy, I am bored and I am lonely... Can we play a little?" What could I do? I was alone at home with her, and if I stopped to play, there was no way I could finish my order in time.
So, I thought quickly, on my feet, of how I could play with her and work at the same time. And I came up with the idea of building her an office right next to mine out of used/damages boxes. She was ecstatic! And SHE did all the work! I told her where to go and get the boxes, and made room for her by me desk. She built a desk, improvised a chair, and even had items to sell in her store.
With that in place, I was able to continue my work uninterrupted most of the time. She loved watching and copying me: when I picked up the phone to talk to a customer, she picked up her imaginary phone. When I needed to make a basket, she made one of her own. When I calculated the price for my baskets, she picked up a pencil and calculated her own prices.
In time, her office evolved: the old, damaged boxes were replaced with actual wooden drawers. Inventory I wasn't able to sell became her store's inventory. She even got an adding machine, and a couch. Now, her office is her favorite spot to play. And it's not just an office anymore: it's an entire building with different shops. She has a restaurant, a bath and body store, a book store, and a toy store.
The store has helped her in many ways:
- she learned about maintaining and ordering inventory - she learned about phone etiquette - she learned addition and subtraction - she learned organization skills - she learned to be creative (little bits and pieces of ribbon, irregular baskets, empty containers have become great assets to her business)
Could YOU be using your business to teach your kids business basics while having fun? I am sure you could. Just take some time and think how your situation can be used to plant some business seeds in your child.
In an online survey I asked 1,500 kids "What do you wish your parents did differently?" The overwhelming response was not what I expected. I expected them to want more freedom, a later curfew, or another gadget. Instead, what teens said they wished their parents did differently was listen to them more often. I received responses like these: "I wish my parents really listened to me instead of just acting like super mom and super dad." "I would love it if my mom was around more often to hear what was going on in my life. We rarely catch up." These kids didn't mean they wished their parents gave them solutions, advice or solved their problems. They simply wanted to be heard and respected. Something technology doesn't solve.
Try at least one of the following tips sometime in the next week. You will begin to see a shift in everyone's attitude.
1. Take time to connect as a family. Dazzling technology can diminish the worth of humans. Make your family time count.
2. Put the TV in a place that takes some effort to reach instead of allowing it to take center stage in your home. Your computer, on the other hand, goes in a central place so that technology is part of the family's group experience rather than a solo activity.
3. Designate this week as "We Care Week." Each family member does one caring thing a day for his or her secret recipient.
4. Frequently remind your kids how grateful you are they were born. Sounds corny but they NEED to be reminded of your joy in their very existence.
5. Pick one day a month as FAMILY DAY. Mark them on your calendar and begin planning now for all twelve magical days.
6. Don't forget the wonderful habit of note writing. Leave some unexpected words of encouragement in a lunch box, under a pillow. If you travel, begin a postcard tradition. Send your child a postcard from each trip you take.
7. Learn something new with your kids. Approach ideas from their perspective.
8. Come up with a secret sign that means, "I love you." It comes in handy at the bus stop or in a crowded room.
9. Ask your kids to write a letter a week -- longhand. They can write to whomever they choose: family, friends, heroes, someone they read about in the paper.
10. Wish upon a star with your child. Listen to his/her wish.
Both Adriana Copaceanu & Mimi Doe are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Adriana Copaceanu has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Family Concerns and Room Furniture. Adriana Copaceanu is a work at home mom of 2, and the publisher of , an online resource for new parents and. Adriana Copaceanu's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.
Mimi Doe has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, College Education and Parenting. Mimi Doe is the founder of and the award-winning author of. Mimi Doe's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.