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*** Monthly Feature Column ***
Positively Speaking
Building Assets in your Kids
August – Stopping at Lemonade Stands
by Kelly Curtis.
We’ve all seen them.
A mob of Kool-aid-mustached children perched around a card table at the end of a driveway. Sticky cookies melting into the plastic wrap. Overly-eager, pint-sized salespeople urging you to purchase their treats. A finger-painted sign that proudly proclaims, “Lemonade – 25 cents.”
We’ve also passed them by. We may have said, “Isn’t that cute?” But we’re in such a rush…
Search Institute has identified “Community cherishes and values young children” as one of the 40 Developmental Assets, which means research shows it’s a characteristic of healthy, caring, resilient kids. The more assets youth have, the more likely they’ll resist risky behaviors in the future. Search defines community cherishes and values young children, as : “Children are welcomed and included throughout community life.”
The book, Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand : How to Create a Culture That Cares for Kids, is a compilation of inspiring tales that teach us how to create a kid-friendly culture in our communities. As the title suggests, supporting a child’s entrepreneurial endeavors is one way to do this.
Last month, my daughter and her good friend planned a lemonade stand during our town’s summer celebration. They were both abuzz with emails and phone calls, planning lists and organizing logistics. Although the stand never materialized (the Boy Scouts had dibs on the parade route), their plan morphed into making treats for the firefighters.
Witnessing their enthusiasm made me realize how important it is to support young people who make these kinds of efforts. Although multiple commitments do tax our busy schedules, it only takes a minute – and a quarter – to stop and chat with junior community members. And it does make a difference.
In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re approaching the end of summer. Children will soon be back in school. I’m committing myself to stop at every lemonade stand I pass, until school starts. This may mean only a stop or two. It may mean I wear out my brakes.
Whatever.
What will you commit to do?
Thanks for joining in to build assets in your kids! I look forward to seeing you again next month for Positively Speaking.
Emme says
I’m very intersted in learning more about this. I think raising a resourceful child is one of the best gifts you can give them. My family is joining Adventure Scouts USA which has the advantage of not discriminating and being co-ed. That’s a part of their programs, but I’m also interested in hearing more about your take on it. Any books you can recommend?
Holly Schwendiman says
Kelly you always have such a colorful way of presenting the ordinary as extraordinary opportunties for empowering our youth!! 🙂 You go girl. There are few things more important than taking a few moments here and there to lift, support and help another. Great post. 😉
Hugs,
Holly
Heather says
I remember stopping at lemonade stands when I had just gotten my driver’s license. Now, we frequent lemonade stands/cookie stands in my parents’ neighborhood. I’m thinking we should set one up for my 5 year old and her cousin this weekend during our garage sale…
jennifer says
I would say that I stop at at least half of the lemonade stands I pass. In high school, my friend and I would do it. We both remember well having the stands and no one stopping, so we vowed then to try to make a kid’s day.
Dawn - Coming to a Nursery Near You says
My son is having a lemonade stand tomorrow, and donating the money to Alzheimer’s research 🙂 This is through the Sunkist Take a Stand promotion (google it) – and I think it’ll be a great exercise for him. Keep your fingers crossed for generous ppl who will be nice enough to stop (we’re setting up at the farmer’s market) 🙂
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) says
I think lemonade stands have to be one of my favorite parts of living in the suburbs. I don’t see them too often, but I just love it when I do.
But yes, my problem is usually that I’m out walking or playing with Julia and I have no money at hand. But if I have some with me, of course I purchase.
Lisa - The Scrap Princess says
What a great post! It’s true, building their entrepreneurial not only makes them feel worthy and part of the community – it also sparks their creativity and will lead to bigger child-operated events such as fundraisers and giving back to the community. It’s such an awesome way to help them learn about hard work and having fun.
My husband built our daughter a lemonade stand last summer when she was only 2-1/2 and she STILLS talk about it to this day. It made her feel accomplished 🙂 This year we bought her a lemonade stand on clearance at Target and she is having a blast!
summershine says
It’s always a good idea to carry cash on you in case you do see a child operated stand. That’s the main reason I haven’t stopped in the past. Sadly I never run across these stands in the big city.
oh amanda says
I haven’t even seen a lemonade stand! I’ll stop if I do!
tanyetta says
Whenever I see kids selling something (cookies, lemonade, whatever) I always give a donation and keep it moving. I NEVER take any of the stuff. I start off by asking them what their favorite flavor, cookie or whatever then once they tell me, I say here, share it with your friends. 🙂
Kelley says
This weekend was our city wide garage sale and i ended up getting 3 cups of lemonade in about 1 hour. The little girls were so adorable I couldn’t tell them no, i realized though that everytime someone bought a glass from them they lit up!
It helps the young ones become involved and makes them feel special!