When I was a kid I learned how to sell, not how to beg
By: Sharon Aron Baron
On Sunday morning, as I approached the Publix at Midway Plaza in Tamarac to buy groceries, I saw two adorable little girl dressed up in cheerleading outfits in front and was wondering what they were selling. I knew I’d be suckered into buying either cookies or candy bars for their cause as I’m always a softy for little kids selling things.
I was surprised when one of the cute cheerleading girls approached me and offered me nothing. She just waved a bowl in front of me and asked me for money for their team.
I watched as the parent sat idly nearby, and allowed this horrible lesson in entrepreneurship to go on. Shoppers were offered nothing in exchange for the money the team needed, as they were hoping for handouts from Publix shoppers that day.
Parents of the Tamarac Cougars who permitted this, should take a look at the lesson they are teaching their children. As parents, we must make our children work for the money they earn and this lesson starts at an early age. Teaching children to panhandle to raise money for causes, or organizations negates your duty as a parent, and as a leader.
From an early age, I was selling girl scout cookies, washing cars, or making really [badly] baked goods to sell for a quarter at bake sales. We never would think about approaching someone with a bowl and asking for money, and your children shouldn’t either.
Our next generation should not feel like they are entitled to someone else’s money just because they need it. They must know how to earn it.
Sharon Aron Baron is the Editor of Talk Media and writer for Tamarac Talk, Coral Springs Talk and Parkland Talk.
Tamarac Talk was created in 2010 to provide News, Views and Entertainment for the residents of Tamarac.
