Is entrepreneurship in our blood or in our upbringing? What did your parents do while they were raising you that allowed you to believe that you could succeed where so many others have failed? Will your kids have the confidence to walk their own path? If you are hoping to one day see your children start their own business, here are some things that you can be doing every day that will help foster their entrepreneurial spirit:
Have conversations about current events. Many of us limit our conversations with our children to topics that directly relate to them. Give them the opportunity to see the world outside of themselves. Talk to them about stories that you see on the news and ask for their opinion. You may be surprised by their insight and their desire to help. If you encourage them to be an active participant in the world, they will naturally take on that role later in life.
Teach your children to pursue their ideas and support them in any way that you can.
Support them in their ideas. Teach your children to pursue their ideas and support them in any way that you can. Few people are willing to run with their dreams. However, if your kids have spent their childhood chasing their ambitions and experiencing some success, it will be much easier for them to believe in themselves as adults.
Teach them to be problem solvers. Entrepreneurs often start out by finding a solution to a common problem. Whenever your children encounter a problem, sit down together and try to brainstorm solutions. Problem solving is a learned behaviour and when you empower your children to find solutions to their own problems, it will become a part of their mindset as they grow up.
Encourage them to manage their own money. Give your children the opportunity to have control over their own money. Allow them to earn an allowance or do a small job where they can make a few dollars a week. Let them decide how to spend their money and if they make the decision to spend it frivolously, don’t step in and deprive them of that valuable life lesson.
If you are an entrepreneur, you may or may not want your children to follow in your footsteps. However, even if they don’t start their own business, an entrepreneurial spirit will help them in whatever path they decide to take. With you as a parent they may come by it naturally, but with a little extra encouragement, you might be surprised by what they accomplish.
Tags: entrepreneurial spirit, entrepreneurs, nature vs nurture, parenting, relationships, children, lessons, money, problem solving, support