Real life lemonade and cookies

Such a busy time of the year as many of us put the final touches on our curriculum so that our children will become mighty learners of knowledge in the days ahead during a new school year. It is important stuff to be doing and I’m right there doing it with you. Yet a recent event in the life of our family reminded me that real life experiences often shape our children as much as a book in a perfectly designed curriculum.

What could be a better real life learning experience than a yard sale?

But let me back up a bit. My girls have been wanting to sell lemonade at the end of our driveway FOREVER. The only problem is that we don’t live on a busy city block, but our home is tucked back in the woods where only a handful of cars pass by during a day. When plans were being made for our garage sale, the suggestion came up to allow the girls to sell glasses of lemonade at their own table in the sale. Suddenly that plan expanded to include cookie selling as well. And we were on our way!

All the items needed for their sale were purchased and the signs were made. The day before our yard sale they were busy getting their table ready and cookies baked. On the morning of the yard sale they were up bright and early awaiting the first customers as they began their entrepreneur learning experience.

Math skills were immediately put into use as they tallied multiple items purchased, made change for money received, and at the very end of the sale learned about gross profit and net profit. They discovered what the economic principle of supply and demand was all about– twice heading back into the house to bake more cookies.  Next year they will be better prepared and more productive by increasing the number of cookies baked, as well as offering a variety of cookies.  Along that same concept they found out how much their customers valued their product of warm baked-from-scratch cookies and were generously tipped for goods which they quickly learned were underpriced.

Being a wise business owner can also mean watching the weather trends as perhaps hot chocolate would have sold better than lemonade on those two days when the temperature didn’t get above seventy degrees. Socialization skills were polished as they greeted customers of all ages, carried on interesting conversations, and thanked each person for their purchases. Responsibility was gained by taking care of their table and cleaning up at the end of the garage sale as well as taking care of their household chores throughout that time. The value of keeping things organized, neat, and tidy was also impressed upon them making set-up, the actual sale, and take down all easier tasks. And they noted that the gift of hospitality was appreciated by the compliments of customers who had browsed while soft music played in the background, and Old Yankee Home Sweet Home candle burned, and chocolate kisses were available at the check out desk.

Could they have learned all these things through a book? Certainly! Yet what a wonderful way to take principles they’ve learned about and apply them in real life situations which help to solidify those truths into their developing characters. And when it comes to educating our children, isn’t that really the heart of the matter?

Postscript:  If your own children are interested in a similar business adventure, please check your local ordinances to see if a permit is required to sell food and drink on your premise.

Married in 1980 and still living in the same house in a woodsy rural setting, Tammy’s homeschooling journey began in the fall of 1987 when her oldest turned six years old. As rather new believers professing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, homeschooling was a way to live out the principles found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Through all the challenges of life Tammy has stayed the course growing to a family with nine children who presently range from preschool age to college graduates married with children. Her role has transitioned from learning everything she could about homeschooling to becoming an encourager to others coming along the way. Please visit Tammy at Garden Glimpses.

Tags: child entrepreneurs, Garage Sale, gross profit, lemonade stand, life skills for children, managing money, Math Skills, net profit

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