My husband and I recently invested in a business venture for our oldest son. He just turned eleven, and expressed interest in earning money for a video game console. We were given the opportunity to purchase an ice cream vending bicycle from an acquaintance for a discounted price. Needless to say, we have begun our journey into being the parents of a little entrepreneur.

As you know, being eleven years old drastically limits your earning possibilities. You are unable to "formally" hold a job position in a company. Babysitting is one choice, but my boy says, "That's for girls!" I believe my son will learn so many valuable life- lessons in this venture and earn the money he needs for anything he should ever want (including college!). Listed below are some of the benefits of childhood enterprise:

• Value of Money
Nothing can be more beneficial to a child than the realization of how much labor earns a dollar. You will find your child unwilling to spend his money on frivolous things, simply because he knows how hard he had to work to earn the cash. When your child asks you to buy him certain items, he will likely be more aware of the value of the item than before the business venture. I like to explain to my children how many hours Daddy has to work to pay for the things we buy. If we go to lunch together, I will say, "Let's thank Daddy for working for one hour to provide this lunch for us, and thank God for providing Daddy's job." This helps to put the value of money into perspective for a child, and also stirs thankfulness within their hearts.


• Social Etiquette
In the business world, there are social do's and don'ts. If your child is to succeed, he will need to learn these right away. Being polite, respectful and learning to set boundaries with others are valuable lessons to be learned. These social skills will be priceless as your child enters the job market as an adult or even as a teen. Excruciatingly poor social skills have been a complaint among employers as they interview young adults of this generation. As an adult, excellent social skills can be the edge your child needs to land the job/account of his dreams.


• Initiative & Work Ethic
There is nothing more educational to a child than swallowing this concept, "If I do nothing, I gain nothing." If your child is looking to create an income for himself, he will quickly learn that this can only happen by setting goals and then actively reaching them. As a parent it is best to help your child develop a schedule for his endeavor--but not to constantly remind him or take over his duties. I understand this is difficult for we "helicopter-moms," but allowing your child to fail can actually help him develop his own internal alarm clock. Lessons of responsibility step in only where loving well-intentioned parents don't! After your child falls flat on his face, be there to lovingly restore him and assist him in problem-solving.


• Business Basics
Once your child has operated his own business, you will never again hear the question, "Why do I have to learn math?! Will I ever use this in my life?!" They will know first-hand that math and business go hand-in-hand. Along with sharpening math skills, they will learn how to plan for supply restock and use profits for reinvestment in the company. Business can prepare a child to begin to think long-term as opposed to in the moment.


• Freedom & Power
I remember how it felt to be a child. You did not have the power to make your own decisions or create your own schedule. If you needed or wanted to buy something, you had to ask your parents. If they said "No!" you were just out of luck! You were living at the mercies of your parents. How powerless and frustrated I felt! Allowing your child to run a business is a great opportunity for your child to gain some control over their life. It gives them the freedom to spend their money as they choose, and to make small but important decisions regarding the operation of their business. The satisfaction they will feel as they master these feats will build self- esteem like nothing else can.


• Self-Sufficiency
Teaching your child to supply his own income is teaching your child how to rely on himself instead of employers to provide his needs. Of course, there is a dependency on the customer when self-employed--in order to gain income one must have clientele. Starting your child out as a business-minded individual when young will help to spur new venture ideas as they grow. They may choose to be self-employed for the remainder of their lives simply because you steered them in this direction as a youth.


• Cures Boredom
Nothing can cure boredom more quickly than the prospect of earning your own cash! A bored person has a boring life! Give your child an opportunity for working hard on their own goals as opposed to using their time playing video games or watching television. The phrase, "I'm bored!" may finally be put to rest for eternity!

Ever heard the ol' adage, "A womans work is never done."? Well, anyone who is a mother and housewife knows that this statement is all too true. The exact second in which something is cleaned--it begins to become dirty again. It feels like some cruel and sick trick someone has played on us, doesn't it?! "Ha-ha- ha!", laughs the evil housework elf. "Watch her slave and stress about her housework--watch her get behind on laundry and just when she gets caught up again (the elf writhes his hands in glee) ha-ha-ha- -they'll be another pile ready to go!"

Okay, so I know in reality there is no housework elf who curses and condemns us to a lifetime of grief. I am learning in small degrees how to manage these things. Sometimes I am good at it and at other times I am OH SO BAD! I have come to the conclusion that one person cannot do the work of six people! With this in mind, I wanted to share with you a plan we have used in our home when there is more work than minutes on the clock. It's called the "Family Chore Card Game."

How it works is very simple. You (the all-knowing mother) possess a deck of cards which lists all of the household chores that need to be done. You gather the family 'round the table for a fun game of dispersing chores! Deal the cards out just like you would any other card game (remember you and your spouse get cards too!). Have each family member look through the chores for which they are responsible. Allow them to trade chores with one another (and with you) if there are tasks one person dislikes that another may enjoy. You may wish to limit to only one or two trades or the trading may fill the day!

Now, blast your rockinest cleaning music! Watch gleefully as your family works together to get the house clean. If you wish, you can set a family reward in place for after the work is done. You may reward them with a family outing, dessert, a movie or whatever you decide is most motivating to your pseudo-maid clan. Enjoy your sparkling home!

Okay...you've read the title of this article and either you're excited, bewildered--or a little bit of both! Yes, I said it--HOMEMADE microwave popcorn.

WHY? Well for a few simple reasons--it saves money, you get to control your own calorie, sodium and fat intake, and in light of recent claims of a cancer epidemic among those who work in microwave popcorn factories--it's apparently safer too!

You will need:

1/3 cup popcorn kernels

1 brown paper lunch sack

Butter-flavored cooking spray (optional, can use melted butter)

Place kernels in paper sack, fold top down and microwave for 2 minutes or until you hear the kernels pop less frequently.

After the popcorn is done--spray butter flavored cooking spray (which has NO calories whatsoever!) and add salt to taste.

In the past I have prepared these sacks in advance and left them in the pantry for the kids to pop themselves.

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