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How to Get Your Kids Involved in Your Business

One of the most wonderful things about kids is that you can teach them all the things you’ve learned along the way. This means that if you’ve started your own business, you can teach them how you run it and all the steps involved with it. Of course, if they’re too young, they won’t understand how to do much but there’s always a way to get them involved even if it’s just a small part to start. So how do you get your kids involved in your business?

How to Get Your Kids Involved in Your Business

If your children aren’t quite old enough to do much, say around 4, the best way they can help is to help you keep the house cleaned up and not messy. Explain to them what you are doing (job-wise) for the day and that you need their help with work. Giving them little random duties such as picking up the front room or answering a play phone for you will make them feel like they’re a part even at a younger age.

Once they start to get a bit older, around 7, they are capable of doing a bit more. In short spurts, so they don’t lose focus, let them shadow you on a part of your job. Start out with something they can understand, something that’s not overly complicated and difficult for them to grasp. For example, if you’re a baker, show them how to knead the bread. It’s easy but teaches them a skill that’s a large part of being a baker.

Once your child is a pre-teen, they are perfectly capable of greeting customers, answering the phone, or helping with paperwork. The biggest thing is to make them feel like they’re not forced to do this. This age group is easily pushed away by things they’re forced to do. Focus on the fact that you WANT them to be involved in your business and make them excited for that. I had a friend when I was younger who used to go with her dad who owned his own plumbing and electric business. She went and helped him on the job and learned a lot of vital skills that have saved her money and time now that she’s much older.

There are a wide variety of positions and little jobs you can take the time to teach your children so they can help you in your business. For the little ones, it may mean faking the fact that they’re helping but still let it be a real thing you actually have to do in your business. Kids catch on and learn by play so this is still helpful to them. Once your kids are older, simply make a list as they age on what you have noticed would be a great task for your kids to take over in order to start slow. Then, slowly move them up to more detailed and complicated things. It could very easily get to the point that they can cover the business if you need to be gone, etc. The biggest thing I suggest is trusting them with a job if they’ve earned and give them that support and responsibility. If they make a mistake, remember so did you but it’s what helped you become successful in the first place.

How to Get Your Kids Involved in Your Business

14 Comments

  • Kemkem
    April 12, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    I love the idea of putting them to good use from when they are little. It teaches them to value money and become more responsible. I love it :-).

    Reply
  • carlana charles
    April 12, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    Children are never to young to learn just as we are never to old to be thought. It’s very wise to give them such exposure at such young age.

    Reply
  • Keisha
    April 12, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    I agree! You can give them some great lessons that they will use later in life.

    Reply
  • Tomiko
    April 12, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    This is right on time because my daughter has been asking how can she become my assistant. She is only 10 but I was thinking I needed to wait another year or so.

    Reply
  • Ashleigh
    April 12, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    Love this! I love the part about making sure they don’t feel forced to do it. That can definitely bring about resentment from the child.

    Reply
  • Jay Colby
    April 13, 2017 at 3:08 am

    This is a great idea. Exposing kids to business is a great way to teach many valuable things they will need in the future.

    Reply
  • Latoya | Life and a Budget
    April 13, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    This is a great way to get kids involved. My daughter would love this.

    Reply
  • Tonia @TheChattyMomma
    April 14, 2017 at 1:51 am

    Great info. I agree with having kids help with the business. My kids have their own set of business cards for my travel business. After all they do help me so they get to take ownership of that.

    Reply
  • RaNesha
    April 14, 2017 at 5:07 am

    All great ideas I will share your post we don’t have children, but too good not to share

    Reply
  • Kimberly
    April 14, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    This is great information! My husband and I are both self employed and this gives me great insight on how I can start teaching my children about our businesses as they get older.

    Reply
  • Tanya Barnett
    April 14, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I love this! My kids help out a lot with my nonprofit, Forever Free Books. It helped them appreciate hard work and teaches them to give back.

    Reply
  • Stacie
    April 14, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    When I owned my bookstore, we had our kids helping all the time. There were easy tasks that they could do to help out.

    Reply
  • Kim
    April 20, 2017 at 1:46 am

    These are great tips. My daughter has recently asked to have a youtube channel. I know it’s because she’s seen me create videos of myself. She’s 6. I still think it’s too young.

    Reply
  • […] think I might hire my son to help me with my business. Would you hire your 13-year-old? What would you have them […]

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