Small Business Ideas for Homeschool Students
But we homeschooling families are in a special predicament.
On the one hand, we need extra income. Daily expenses increase, extra-curricular activities and electives are necessary and college costs loom large.
However, on the other hand, many of us believe that a Mother should be at home and, anyway, we want to educate our children at home.
So an additional income from a working Mom is not a possibility.
How about the teens working? Summers, yes. Year-round, no!
Summer jobs have some risk. But they are short term and only provide enough money for gifts, a few clothes and a bit of savings. Still, choose a summer job location very carefully.
Some may disagree with me, but I am firmly convinced that a high school student should not work during the school year. Why?
- Distraction from academics--School is the child's job. It must take precedence over everything but God and family. He must learn and appreciate the absolute importance of a good education. As I repeat over and over, we don't know God's plan, so the youngster must be well-prepared for anything.
- Distance from family--A job consumes too many hours from the family. What about family time? Loyalty? Interests?
- Too much independence--When a youth has his own stash of money, it's more difficult to say "No, you're not going to that movie!" "No, you're not buying that dress." and on and on.
- Exposure to bad elements--It may sound harsh, but it's true. A teen is not mature and is very susceptible. He will meet others who do not have the same values and don't want the
same values.
In my own small world, I have seen several instances. Teens completely turn from their homeschool upbringing. They adopt the attitude and actions of their new "friends." Faith and school are left behind. Tremendous interest in the opposite sex is ignited. Family rules are completely disregarded. Hopes and dreams are abandoned.
No one knows what the future holds, and God is good. There is always hope. But, at present, the parents are devastated.
Working in a family business, of course, is completely different and would equip a child with valuable experience and knowledge. It might even develop into his life-long career.
Youngsters (with parents' approval) might investigate several small business ideas for homeschool:
--Printing/desktop publishing: Make stickers, holy cards, pamphlets, invitations, etc. (A friend's son checked out several small business ideas for homeschool and decided on this. Today it is flourishing.)
--E-bay selling: Salvage/Repair/Construct any item. Just look through what is sold on E-bay. It's amazing.
--Crafts: Sell at craft shows, e-bay or on consignment.
--Homemade delicacies: People love special, "fancy" treats for themselves and to give as gifts. Do you enjoy making cheesecakes, homemade jams/jellies or salsas? What about those cute little cookies on sticks? Make them into festive gift baskets; companies always need presents for their clients/customers. (A homeschooling Mom does very well with this.)
--Internet web site:
(This is our favorite of the small business ideas for homeschool families. Our site pays for books and airline flights for our three boys--two in college, one in the seminary.)
Site Build It is more that just a web company. It is a community where you can "help and be helped."
An additional benefit of being an SBI owner is being able to connect with other SBI webmasters to find reliable sources for information, goods and services. How?
The SBI Community Portal --The aim is to bring SBI! Webmasters together. Submit your SBI! website for free at SBI! directory. No reciprocal link required.
--House/pet sitting: Everyone needs this service at one time or another. (My daughter enjoyed this and made good pocket money.)
--Raising produce: Sell home grown, luscious vegetables and fruit at the local famer's market. (Several friends turn a very good profit.)
--Baby quilts/handmade clothes: Sew lovely Baptismal gowns and/or First Communion dresses. (I don't personally know anyone who does this, but I do have friends who would snatch up such treasures. So there's quite a market. It's a gem among small business ideas for homeschool!)
--Handcrafted/carved wood items: Furniture, small statues, shields--you name it-- are very popular. (A local homeschool boy made his hobby into a business. Now he gets calls from across the country. He not's out of high school, but already has a job offer.)
It is never too early for a youngster to learn about money management. The Dave Ramsey website is a good starting point.
A year-round job can be extraordinarily dangerous for impressionable teens. But using one of the small business ideas for homeschool can hone important skills and offers true opportunities for the future.
How We Earn Extra Income
Homeschool Electives
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