| Homeschoolers Can Benefit from a Home Business |
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Anonymous writes "Have you ever thought about owning your own business? If you are anything like me, the thought is inviting, but at the same time, all these questions come to mind. “What would I do? “,”Could I really be successful?”, “ I already homeschool, where would I find the time?”
As a former homeschooler, I have considered how owning a home business would have benefited my family during those homeschooling years. Our two children were homeschooled for ten years before they graduated and went on to college. At the time, I always had a desire to own my own business, but never pursued it, mainly because I just didn’t know what to do or how to get a business going.
After my youngest graduated, I sought God as to what I should do next. I started searching the internet for ideas, and found one that really appealed to me. I took the plunge and invested in a business. It gave me something to work on that I really enjoyed, and brought me into contact with so many great people.
Since then, I have looked back on those homeschooling years, and regretted not pursuing a home business then for many reasons.
First, it would have given me, as a person, something to work on that was mine. As a homeschooling mom or dad, you pour your life into your kids, and I was so glad God gave me the chance to do that. However, I think it helps you keep some of your own identity to have something to work on that is “yours.”
Secondly, it would have brought in some extra income. Who can’t use that? I didn’t need to make a huge income, but it would have been nice to have a little extra for things the kids wanted to do, or for my husband and I to go out to lunch together.
Thirdly, I think a home business makes a great learning experience for your older kids. It would have given my son and daughter practical business experience. Owning a business teaches responsibility, both in handling the business, and in taking care of the money made from it. Having your own business teaches you to communicate with others in an understandable way. It also teaches about marketing and advertising. You have to learn what works and what doesn’t in promoting your product/service. It also gives some hands on experience in writing, as writing articles is a great free way to advertise your business.
It is a real way to teach about budgets, which we all deal with our entire lives. Earning an income from a business can give first hand experience in setting up guidelines for saving, giving, and spending. I think the earlier kids learn about this, the more natural it becomes for them to responsibly handle their money. Hopefully, they will get used to living within their means, and sharing some of what they have with others.
Having a business of their own gives your kids an option. If college is not for them, it allows for a non-traditional approach to learning business. You may have a child who would excel at owning their own business, but they need the chance to find that out. The more real life experiences you can offer them under your guidance, the better. I think most of us learn best by actually doing something. When your kids have their own business, they will learn valuable lessons in advertising, marketing, accounting, communication, writing, and let’s not forget, responsibility. Then they will actually put those lessons in practice while managing their business.
If they do choose to go to college, it would give them some spending money for books and other things. Owning a business will give them the edge over their classmates because of the valuable lessons and practical experience they will learn as an entrepreneur.
My son is in his fourth year of college, taking Business Management. Over this past summer, he started his own online business. I have never seen him show an interest in anything as much as he has this. His entrepreneurial spirit has shown forth! He has read so many books on direct sales marketing and joint ventures, I have lost count. If I had offered him this option while we were still homeschooling, he could have gotten a much earlier start. He went through many years of indecision about college and what he should take. By exposing your kids to real life businesses, you can give them the guidance and experience they need to make those all-important “life decisions.”
Consider a home business, for both yourself and your family. I think you will be blessed by it.
Laurie Neumann, owner of Christian Home Business Connection, lives in Rochester, NY. Her desire is to help those who would like to work at home find a business that is just right for them, and also to offer support to those who already own a business through a unique leads program and reasonably price advertising. Visit her site at www.christianhomebusinessconnection.com "
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Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 @ 09:44:25 CDT by Site_Admin |
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