Madeline - The Entrepreneur

We spent lots of time in the car the other day, my girls and I. That can lead to some interesting conversations with a four-year-old, providing she's in the right mood. Well, Madeline was.

She was mentally reviewing all the presents she'd like to buy for people (a computer for Papa, clothes and a suitcase for Grandma, a wagon for Katie), and was quite dismayed to learn that the $23.87 she has in her purple piggy bank (entirely in coins) wouldn't cover the costs for all of that. After some quiet reflection (unusual to be sure) she announced, "Well, I think I need to get a job. Then, I could pay for all that and still have money left over." Stifling a sudden urge to laugh (and choking in the process), I asked her exactly what kind of job she was planning to get, with all her experience as a four-year-old. She finally settled on a dog poop picker-upper. If anyone out there can give that a more official sounding name, please let me know.

Occasionally, Franz and I have paid her a little something to do this chore at our house. So, naturally, that seemed the best way to earn some money. Pretty soon she said, "I could pick up everybody's dog poop and make lots of money." The plan was hatching before my eyes, underscoring just how firmly anchored in the genetics is Franz's legendary entrepreneurial spirit.

I am not kidding in the least when I tell you that I was up until 10:30 that night with a quivveringly excited daughter who was making me run through role-playing scenarios for nearly an hour. She would pretend to knock on my door. I, the neighbor, would answer, and a conversation would ensue in which she would extole her talents at picking up dog poop, shake hands, and close the deal. I had nothing to do with this. It was totally dreamed up by Madeline. She wore me out with these rehearsals, stating, "I really need to practice a lot so I'm not nervous and I don't forget anything." I was exhausted. I do not have the constitution for sales. Especially not door-to-door. It was all I could do to hold her back from pounding the pavement right then and there in the middle of the night. She even had a price and time schedule figured out. Weekly pick-up on Saturdays for $5. I have no idea where any of the details or the instant push for sales perfection came from. I have never been able to harness a fraction of that.

I think this week, I'm going to have to go door-to-door with Madeline as she makes her dog poop house calls. Franz, needless to say, is thrilled beyond imaginings about this. On the spot, he offered to match her dollar for dollar toward the purchase of her first car. Seriously. I am not kidding. And Maddie was just as thrilled as he was. Forget the little things, Madeline is now saving for a car. I so do not belong in this family! :)