A conversation with a friend’s daughter today got me thinking. She’s starting a business. She’ll be working in pet care, taking care of peoples’ pets while they’re on vacation. As she described it, she’ll be brushing them, petting them, and playing with them. And oh yes, feeding them. She’s six.
The beauty of homeschooling your children is that they have time to explore their interests, you have time to introduce them to your passions, and you have time to see how these two things develop together. This means that wonderful possibilities can emerge, possibilities like a home business.
Pet Care
In our area, dogs are plentiful, as are dog-walking trails. However, people work long hours and it’s common to see dog walkers out wandering the woods. If you have a dog of your own, you and your child could walk a neighbor’s dog or two in addition to your own. If you own cats, your child could have a little business caring for cats while others are on vacation. Of course, both of these activities are best done with adult supervision, but they’re a good introduction to the world beyond your home and introduce your child to that world in a different role, that of service provider.
Tutoring
The other day as I was wandering through Craigslist, I happened upon a wonderfully well-written post by a twelve year old who was offering his services as an English and Mathematics tutor for elementary school students. I have no idea what his background was, but he was certainly articulate, explaining that he was several grades ahead in math and would be honored to teach other children at a low price. Tutoring is expensive, and good tutors who click with your kids can be hard to find. If your teen is ahead of the game in a subject, consider tutoring as a potential home business.
Web Design
Another beloved teen (now an adult), my baby brother, learned how to crack the computer code before age 13 and was soon happily ensconced in a world of computer technology that still seems arcane to me. If your child is similarly inclined, age should be no object in the world of web design. As long as you can create professional sites and learn how to provide great customer service, what’s to stop a teen from developing a design business that outclasses many adult-owned businesses?
Does your homeschooled child have a business?
Related Blogs:
Homeschooling and the Work At Home Mom
Utilizing Extended Family in Your School
Image Credit: the swedish