My sweet 6 year old is kind of obsessed with having lemonade stands. Over the summer he noticed some kids having one and decided it was the perfect way to make money. We ended up doing 4 in the fall and raised $150 for the Red Cross. We went through a cold spell but it has warmed back up and he asked me again (and again and again) to have a stand. I relented and here we are, on a beautiful, sunny, 76* day selling lemonade and cookies in front of the house.
When he first started, I wanted to use it as a learning opportunity. He had to buy the supplies, help make the lemonade and cookies, set it up, count money, etc. It has been great. He loves to bake and it has helped his math (and practical life) skills practicing measuring and adding fractions to determine how much flour needs to go in the batter. He’s learning about money, adding and subtracting, multiplying, and managing. He’s also learning about time management – he has to bake the cookies and make the lemonade the day before so they are ready when he gets out of school.
What I’m more excited with is how he’s learning patience, humility, kindness, and compassion. It’s hard to be 6, having prepared for your big sale, and then no one walks by. He has to wait for his customers (although he holds signed on the corner of the street and yells to everyone passing by). He is also learning that not everyone who passes by is going to buy his snacks and is learning to be okay with their decisions.
When we first started running lemonade stands, we researched organizations which we could donate the proceeds. It was around the time of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and he wanted to help people affected by the storms. I did a little research and found 5 organizations doing the most work in those areas. After much deliberation he chose the American Red Cross. With today’s earnings of $45 he’s almost at $200 in donations!!
Teacher Life, Military Wife 