PARENTAL FEELINGS: FROM EMBARRASSED TO PROUD TO BITTERSWEET...

When this boy of mine was a senior in high school, he surprised us by telling us he wanted to spend all his hard earned money on a snow cone shack.  I was pretty hesitant, not knowing anything about this kind of business, but he didn't listen to me (good thing in this case), and went for it.  Obviously I'm not a risk taker!

The last three summers he's learned to brew syrup, keep up inventory, talk to his landlord, and make customers into friends.  He's also transformed the shack with a new deck, new paint job, shade sails, new yard games, wrapped the Mystery Machine, and even added a mobile trailer to the business!

I went from an embarrassed mother (to have the Mystery Machine parked at my house) to an amazed one at his business ability.  He loved his customers, knew what they would order before they asked, and chatted it up with all kinds of people.  He built things I had no idea he could do!  He learned so much!

So as he sells his business to move on to other things, I have to say it's bittersweet.  Even though his supplies took up a lot of room in our house and garage, sometimes he made messes in the kitchen and the vehicles were in the driveway, it was truly a great experience for him and us.

So the lesson for the parents here:

LET YOUR KIDS TRY THINGS.  EVEN THINGS YOU'RE UNSURE OF.  

You'll probably learn something yourself.