BOSS KIDS

We like to think we are the bosses around our farm, but in reality, we are far from in charge.  Years ago when we started this journey, we had one goal in mind...self-sufficiency with a more wholesome lifestyle.  We never imagined we would take a few detours along the way.  Our homestead grew a little quicker than we wanted.  It got to the point of needing to find balance and we needed a little extra income to help with the increased costs to feed our animals and build the appropriate shelters.  We were also struggling with trying to teach our children to the level of our personal expectations and goals.  

That is when we came up with the idea of our kids taking control of their own learning and needs with regards to our homestead.  We also wanted to make sure the kids were a part of the growth of our little farm and had some type of investment in it (other than the daily chores).  That's when we decided to try some baked goods and viola!  Our kids each had their own little bakeries.   

At first the kids were a little too excited for what this new idea could offer them.  They thought they were about to embark on profits in the thousands of dollars.  It was really comical.  I wish adults still could have that type of naivete that children do.  Once they realized that setting realistic goals for a good profit margin, then it was on to the heart of the situation...what to bake and how to make a profit from that product.

Fast forward to a year later and we have one child who has found that her life-long dream is to own a bakery.  She wants it to be an individual building away from our farm goings-on and she wants it to be all hers.  The other three are still not sure what direction they want to head, but one thing is for sure, they have that taste of success (albeit small) in their mouths and they liked the result of it.    

The kids learned and that is exactly what we wanted for them.  The profit was minimal, but the gain was phenomenal.  One year later and here is what we have learned so far: 

1.) Don't ever underestimate your children's abilities and their potential.

2.) Don't baby them.  Make sure they understand that in the real world, the expectations are harsher than yours.

3.)  It is okay if they don't like doing something.  Give them options to change it.

4.)  As much as you hate to take some of the monetary cut, it is necessary.  Otherwise, the kids will never understand what it means to pay bills or the bank.

5.)  Baking together is something that allows quality time and not quantity time.

6.)  Teaching your children family recipes and the traditions that go along with those recipes is something that is more valuable to pass along than a large monetary inheritance.

7.) New, and brilliant ideas are often born from simple ideas.  

Who knows what will come of the kids and their entrepreneurial adventures?  So far, it has led to some serious self-discoveries on both their end and ours.  Some of those discoveries have been positive and some haven't been so good.  

Here is what we do know, if Morgan continues toward her personal baking goals, then we are happy to help her get there.  How we build her bakery and when we build her bakery, is a whole other blog entry.  BUT, what we can say is that she is serious about it.  She has officially become a "Boss Kid."  We couldn't be prouder of her and the other three kids for taking the steps toward entrepreneurship.