Most parents dream of their child attending a prestigious university and acquiring a dazzling degree (or two or three!). While this sounds ideal and quite traditional, this is not however, the route I will force upon my child.
Call me crazy, but I’d rather teach my daughter how to start a business and actively create the life she wants, as opposed to passively sitting in a classroom and funneling her widely creative energy into a linear, generic curriculum.
Generation Z kids are growing up in a world with information and technology at their fingertips. As soon as a question comes into their curious minds, they are quick to pull out their smartphones and either Google the question or ask their new friend Siri. Not only this, but everyday and moment they are on social media they are being exposed to and influenced by their peers from all over the world.
Already at the fragile ages of 8, 9 and 10, our children are questioning if they are doing enough in life. They haven’t even hit puberty yet! Whether we like it or not, we as parents have to accept the technological curve guiding the future. In the digital age, more and more people are wanting to create independence for themselves and that includes our children.
I believe that we as parents need to hone in on our children’s talents and peek into what they are inspired and energized by. If for example, we see that our children love to spend their time drawing everyday or being glued to reading or cooking, we should constantly encourage our kids to keep doing these activities.
If our kids hear us feeding their absorbent brains with encouragement, then they will feel like they have the courage to sharpen their skillset.
I don’t know about you, but as a single mother to an eight-year-old, the education system makes me nervous and has me concerned about how I can teach my daughter to thrive in a world without the dependence of college validation. And as a businesswoman, I can’t help but want my daughter to be thinking about how she can make a positive change in the world and help her generation and the generations following.
In setting an example for my daughter as the owner and CEO of Farmbox Direct, I have helped her launch her very own business Harlow’s Harvest, which offers monthly cooking kits for kids.
I want her generation to know that no matter what they want to do, they absolutely can do by believing in themselves, finding what they want to do and then acting on it.
Just imagine if your child funded their college education through his or her entrepreneurial venture…!
