Multi-generational family businesses were once a primary cultural means of serving Christ while serving others.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the term "Cottage industries" was used to describe the home-based system of manufacturing. Then something happened to the entrepreneurial spirit early in the twentieth century, it was replaced by corporate America. But today, we see the pendulum swing once again as families work diligently towards their vision of a multi-generational family business.

We use this term, Cottage industries, to refer to goods or services produced at home. A few examples of modern home-based systems in which children 7 and up can take part in would be agriculture, sewing, arts & craft production, internet sales & service. Here at Train Up Children we believe that true homework is work at home. Chores and industries can easily be done with the purpose of teaching valuable life skills.

While working as a family unit, parents can instill important foundational life skills such as: how to best allocate time, money, material & human resources. It's evident, young children involved in business begin to practice teamwork, learn leadership skills, and visualize the concept of serving others through healthy interpersonal relationships.

Since children progress at different speeds, assigning job tasks and implementing promotions can be done systematically too. For example, little Mary-Anne can undergo proper phone training from big brother Bo until she masters her new-developed receptionist skill; thus being promoted to work on her own. As for big brother Bo, he goes on to oversee another "assigned" family business task; thus training in leadership skills.

Starting your own family business can even help your child to acquire and evaluate information. Then in turn, organize & maintain that information with the use of a computer: be it checking inventory, filling orders or creating mailing labels. There are many other technical and social skills a child can experience first hand as they work along with their parents in business. Creative thinking skills, seeing things in the mind's eye, reasoning and decision making are also valuable outcomes of the natural flow of work at home.

The thought of seeing our children in dead-end jobs saddens us as parents. But, there is something we can do now to prepare our children to find work of which they are passionate about. Why it's as simple as incorporating entrepreneurship skills into their homework and instilling a vision for self-employment to express their tallents.

If this is of interest to you, below are only a few "successful" family businesses we selected out of hundreds we found. Which may be just what you're looking for to teach initiative, industry, integrity, order, and dependability. Help your children advance in life skills by starting 'em young. Create a multi-generational, entrepreneur vision today!

You can learn more about each business idea by clicking on the links below.

Agriculture:

Seedlings Gardening Classes Lawn Care Landscaping Pumpkin Patch / Christmas Tree Farm Tree Planting Service

Sod Farm Heirloom Seed Sales Beekeeping Organic Herb Farm Animals: Breed, Board, Sell Fresh Eggs / Chicken Tractors

Services:

Cleaning Service Horse/Pony Riding Classes Kids Cooking / Baking Classes Tutoring Business Toner Cartridge Recycling Bicycle Safety Courses Survival Training

Educational Day Camps Cookie Business Home Care Services House Sitting Services Pet Business Family Sawmill Business Online Dropship Business

 

Small Manufacturing:

Dolls: Making, Dressing Replica Doll Houses Cedar Blanket Boxes Mailboxes Historical Costumes

Leather Goods Soap Making Business Craft Business Sandbox Manufacturing

For something fun to do... Train Up Children has now made available a fun filled unit study. Go to the Ant, Thou Sluggard, this 3 week lesson plan is sure to help a child avoid the lazy man's trap. ( Lesson plan is adjustable for children ages 4 - 8 years old. )