Skip to main content

Busy-ness 101

Jake has become quite the 8 year old entrepreneur.  Or, possibly scam artist.  He received as a gift about a year ago a bookmark made from duct tape.

Utterly fascinated and impressed with this gift, Jake begged me to buy him some decorative duct tape so that he could make his own bookmarks.  This proposal seemed harmless enough, so I got him a couple rolls.

Not long ago, I found myself In sore need of a bookmark, so I turned to my highly creative son and asked him to make me one.  He says, "I guess I will make you one for free."  I responded, "I should certainly think so since I bought the tape!"  

He proceeds to inform me that he needed a notebook so he could take orders.  It would appear he has developed quite a following.  He also informed me that he was charging his friends "$5 in pass tickets" (a reward system for students who may then purchase prizes from something called a "pass cabinet".)

Part of me was proud of his capitalistic tendencies, as I am hopeful he will be in a position to keep me in the style to which I wish to grow accustomed sooner rather than later.  And, doing so in a legal and above-board manner is preferred (albeit on certain days, negotiable).  But, in a feeble attempt at good parenting, I did mention that maybe he should check with his teacher to see if his little business was allowed to operate, or should he secure a permit?

"Why would she care?" He questioned.  "It's just business?"

Having larger fish to fry, I decided to agree.

Well, turns out she did care.  He told me a few days later that she made him stop selling bookmarks for pass tickets.

Not to be deterred, the little angel tells me last night that he would be setting aside the thirty minutes prior to bedtime to make picture frames.  "Picture frames?  When did you start doing that?" I ask.  (Again, mother of the year keeps up with everything her child does, obviously.). "Oh, awhile ago.  I needed something new to sell."

So, the little entrepreneur has learned about diversification.  He's also learned to look for loopholes.  The teacher banned selling bookmarks, but obviously she has not addressed picture frames.  I go to check out his duct tape picture frames, and I see a piece of paper that reads "James: day off -Wednesday".  

" What's this?" I ask.  "Oh, I have people working for me.  They take the orders for me to fill.  I have to give them a day off sometimes."   Well, well.....so my son is now in management.  And may possibly be operating a sweatshop for 8 year olds.  I have one question-am I legally liable for the business dealings of an eight year old?

All I know is that as a source of start-up capital, I really hope that my investment pays off.  I don't know what they have in that pass cabinet, but I am hoping for a Ring-Pop or maybe some fluorescent shoelaces!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Uno Lampino

 El Hubbo started the conversation with "Now, promise you won't kill him." That immediately got my attention.   "He broke one of your lamps when he came in the house with the weed eater.  Like beyond repair." I asked, "Why was he bringing the weed eater through the house?" "Well, he cleaned it up and he feels bad," El Hubbo said.  "I thought I should call and give you warning.  We've spent so much time and money getting him to this point....." "Ugh."  I hung up. Upon my arrival home, I saw the lampshade on the counter.  Then I saw the boy child.  I grabbed him in a big hug.  "Your daddy called and told me you wanted to take me lamp shopping.  That is so sweet of you!" He looked a bit bewildered but relieved that I had not immediately gone for the jugular.  "Uh, yeah, ok." "I'm so excited that I'm getting new lamps for the living room!" "Wait?  Lamps?  Don't you mean 'l...

Medical Sparring

My father.  The infamous Oso.  The Bear. Just as when one is dealing with his spirit animal, one should always proceed with caution with my paternal parental unit.  Not everyone is ready for his wit and charm, but doctors in particular seem to struggle with quite how to deal with the man. In Oso's not-so-humble opinion doctors are by-and-large "quacks".  The many years of medical training they have is bunk, and they have no idea what they are talking about.  He has stretched the patience of more than one member of the AMA, leading one to proclaim my father "the most non-compliant patient I have ever seen."  And, this particular doctor used to be a prison doctor!  That statement actually exists in a medical chart.  It also happen to provide my father with a peculiar point-of-pride.  In his mind, this meant he won. With mom's passing, I have inherited the dubious honor of accompanying my father to the more important doctor visits.  W...

Comfort Food Memories

Baby, it's cold outside.  And Number One Son has been sick with a brutal cold.  It was definitely time for me to whip up some comfort food.  My mama always had a favorite meal when she was sick.  One her mama made her often as she recovered from surgeries to help her overcome the lasting effects of polio.  Tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich were her go to meal, and I remember making it for her a time or two when she was sick.  But I cannot stand tomato soup, and I will barely tolerate a grilled cheese sandwich.  My mama knew a favorite home-cooked comfort food is necessary for proper healing, so through much trial and error she found what would satisfy me:  chicken and dumplings with a side of fried okra.  I remember vividly, on a similar cold night after I had Number One Son, she fixed me my favorite comfort food as my first meal at home.  Nothing in the world could have tasted better.  So, tonight I whipped up a bat...