As a business owner I know the tug of long hours and a messy desk calling out to you. I know the call of papers that need to be filed and other tedious tasks that you would rather not set aside to do other things. I often feel the detail work takes up more time than expanding my business. I need an office assistant. Looking around I notice that my home is only half clean and it is almost time to prepare dinner. I need a home assistant. I have no payroll to disperse. So who will work for candy? Yes, my children. My children will work for candy. I can give them the stapling, the filing, the busy work. I can give them the chore of preparing a meal or washing a load of laundry. Then when payday comes along I can bring out a big bag of candy and be hailed as the best boss this side of the Mississippi. (Disclosure: This paragraph is complete jest and humor.)
Seriously speaking, have you ever thought of employing your children in your business? We often give children chores in the home so why not our business? I am certainly not actually suggesting you pay your children in candy. You can help them learn to run a business, be responsible, and understand the value in hard work. Most likely you are running a home business because you wanted it to benefit your family. Then why not make it a family affair? Set a pay rate and a payday and get your children working for you. Your children will see how hard you work and what your business is about rather than just knowing ambiguously that you work from home. They will appreciate the business because they will feel like they are a part of the business. The experience will teach them to be entrepreneurs and not workers. They will learn the value of a dollar and the value of responsibility. As their boss you have their best interests at heart and you can make the experience educational and profitable.
In my business, we often need the help of our children since our business partly focuses on planning children’s tea parties. When my business partner and I get an idea we practice on our children. When we had an event our children helped from start to finish and were directly involved in the running of the event. Most took an active role in the performances and speaking segments of the event. All of them enjoyed it and learned so much. It was a beautiful experience for my partner and me as well. I strongly encourage you to allow your children to take part in your business for memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.