I used my hat

Ethan was feeling malicious or destructive or needy for attention....whatever the reason, he decided to cut the shoelace on Hunter's new shoe. Since he was honest and admitted what he had done even before I had found the evidence he didn't get a time-out. However, I told him that he needed to buy Hunter a new shoelace and get him a toy costing three times what the shoelace cost. Ethan was beside himself, but didn't have anyone to blame but himself.

In order to get the money needed to make recompense we took several bags from Ethan's ever growing collection of plastic bottles to the recycle center.

Elle has been potty training and after walking to our neighbor's house she peed on their porch. This is the third time she's done it...I don't know what it is. Urge to pee translates into neighbor's porch? At least she's not making it inside... In any case she only had a shirt and panties on, but nothing substantial on bottom. She went with us as is.

Ethan counted the bottles out one by one to make sure he got the full CRV value. Weighing is faster, but you don't get as much.

We only had two pairs of gloves left, and Hunter took the other pair but promptly lost count before 30 and started over at one without accounting for the bottles already in the bin. He was excused from counting. Rather than sitting on the curb in the shade like he was told he tried throwing rocks in the parking lot, putting berries of an unknown nature in his mouth and making swords out of the various plant life in his immediate vicinity.

Garrett wanted to nurse right when we got there, so I tried to remain decent while simultaneously supervising Ethan in his count. A few times the wind caught my blanket, which was probably refreshing for Garrett in the heat, but somewhat embarrassing for me.

Meanwhile Elle was running around the Land Cruiser. I wouldn't have minded so much, but the Land Cruiser has a poor parking break that is complimented only by being in gear when parked. If knocked out of gear the vehicle could have started rolling and hurt somebody. She wouldn't sit down voluntarily. She's at a point now that she thinks it's cute to run the other way and then waggle her bottom at me when I can't quite reach her to impose my will. I finally did get a hold of her and cinched her down into her car seat eliminating the possibility of her wiggling out of the straps. She was not happy.

Counting took a lot longer than anyone could have guessed. Elle was thirsty and complained loudly about it in addition to being restrained. Hunter was thirsty too and Ethan was loosing the desire to count in exchange for a drink of water. As a complete twist of irony, we had no full bottles of water in the car to quench anybody's thirst on this particularly hot day. If Elle had pants on I could shut the car up and hauled everybody to the bank to get a drink from their drinking fountain. However, Elle's lack of imperative clothing prohibited the trip, as it would be quite voyeuristic.

We decided against counting the big black bag because the need for water was reaching imperative levels. I sent Ethan and Hunter to the bank to get a drink. Ethan came back alone and said the fountain was too high for him to reach.

Well, where is Hunter?

"He didn't want to leave without getting a drink"

Go back and get him

Ethan came back a second time without Hunter. I figured Hunter would ask for a cup, or get a chair. Knowing Hunter he would figure out a way to get the drink. Hunter finally did come out with his shirt soaking wet.

Hunter, what did you do?

"I got a drink"

Ethan said the fountain was too high. How did you get a drink?

"I got a drink"

HOW did you get a drink?

Hunter took his hat off and I noticed it was wet. "I used my hat"

It could be worse. He could have used his shoe.

Hunter for Hire

The continuation of the saga...A boy and his bottles.

Ethan hired his younger brother Hunter (2 1/2) to help him on his recycle route. The first day that Ethan asked him to come with him I thought, "Hmmm, 25 cents sounds reasonable"

"Hey Ethan, how about if you give Hunter 25 cents for helping you?"
"Ok. Hey Hunter. Do you want a dollar if you help with my recycle route?"
"YA!"

Well, I guess it's only appropriate that they negotiate the terms without my getting involved. You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now.

$1 for 15 minutes of collecting bottles and cans....that works out to be $4 an hour. Despite the minimum wage in California being $6.25 both boys were more than happy with the arrangement. Imagine that!

They were so excited to work together that they took off with out me and I got out to the curb just in time to see two VERY excited little boys running down the street at break neck speed. I started running after them but, they were nearly a block ahead of me running as fast as they could. One pulling, one pushing. It seemed at any moment the little red wagon would achieve lift off.

If any of the neighbors have thought that I'VE been the one pushing him to do his recycle business.... surely the sight of me chasing my boys down the street would have been a testament to the contrary.

Hunter was a very hard little worker. He did have his moments when he didn't want to help anymore, but Ethan would remind him of the dollar waiting for him at the end of the route. (Yes, I realize this is a carrot (Kiyosaki's illusion) and it is NOT my intention to train Hunter to be an employee. He'll have his chance once he can speak a little better and is out of diapers.)

When all the bottles and cans were collected and the wagon was full the race back home was on! The boys were very efficient working as a team. Ethan cut his time out on the route in half. Once we were home Hunter and Ethan each got to wear a pair of rubber gloves and sorted the bottles and cans into their respective bins.

When they were done and back inside Ethan told his brother, "I changed my mind. I don't want to give you a dollar anymore." I stepped in at this point (The LAW & Proper Role of Government). Hunter kept his end of the agreement and Ethan was obligated to pay him one dollar. Ethan got out his wallet and I helped him count out one dollar in change. Ethan was very upset that so many of his coins went to his brother. I think he still is learning that different coins have different monetary values. Right now he'd rather have a pile of coins than one bill even though they might be the same face value. He must think it's worth more since there's more. But if HE values quantity I guess it really IS more valuable.

Hunter was SO pleased with himself and his big handfuls of coins. He sat patiently dropping each little coin into his piggy bank. Ethan got over his angst when he took his load of bottles and cans to the recycle place and got $32 for them.

Ethan takes Hunter on his recycle route any time he can. Ethan gets help and likes it. Hunter gets paid... quite generously and likes it. I get home faster and LOVE IT!

Youngest member of the Chamber of Commerce

Ethan was scheduled to speak today, but we've had a change in plans. He was presented to the Chamber today instead. Next month he will be giving his speech.

He wore a little red shirt with his logo embroidered on it (Thank-you enthusiastic Grandma), passed out business cards and mingled with the business people. Someone commented to me, "Shouldn't he be out swimming or something?" I told them, "Oh, he was doing that earlier today." Ethan thought it was great fun to get business cards from people. He had his in one side of his pants pocket and put theirs in the other side. He went back and forth either talking to people and shaking hands very seriously to looking for rolly-pollies in the flowers.

At the end of the mixer he pulled a chair up to the side of one of the garbage cans and it was all I could do to keep him from going head first into it looking for bottles and cans, "We can put some recycle bins out next time, honey." Fortunately, he had talked to the bartender ahead of time and asked him to save him all of his recyclables for him. He took home a big bag full of them.

As for his speech, this is what I came up with:

My name is Ethan. I am four years old. Two months ago I started my first business. It’s called Recycling with Ethan. I wanted to have my own money to buy things. My mom told me that I could recycle my Dad’s cans and get a nickel for each one. Recycling helps the environment and is valuable to people. I started recycling at home. Then I went to my neighbors and asked them to participate. I gave them a box like this one. (hold up box). They fill their box and leave it on the porch on garbage day. Each week I pull my wagon around the block to pick up their recyclables. I sort the bottles and cans into bins; plastic, glass or aluminum. When the bins get full my mom or dad takes me to the recycling center to turn them in. The money I earn is divided three ways; Charity, Savings and Spending. Every month I send out a letter to the neighbors to thank them and tell them about my progress.

I talk to everyone I meet about recycling. At playgroup I asked my friend’s dad if he had any bottles. He didn’t know what I meant because I didn’t say recycling. At my Tiny Tots class, my teacher threw a plastic bottle away in the garbage. I went up to her and asked her if I could have it to recycle. After that, at the end of every class she would give me all her empty bottles. At my brother’s school I asked his teacher if she had any bottles and cans to recycle. The next week she brought a big bag of them. My Grandma helps me and tells people about what I’m doing. They want to participate too and leave big bags of recyclables on my porch for me. People are my assets.

With my business I am learning to create value for other people and to be productive in the world. People are each so different, but this world is the one thing we all have in common. If you would like to participate in Recycling with Ethan and help the environment please leave your bottles and cans in the marked bins I have set out. Thank-you.

Recycling at Tiny Tots

At Ethan's preschool the children have a regular snack time. Yesterday as Ethan's teacher had emptied the juice container and was in the process of putting it in the garbage he approached her VERY upset that she would put something recyclable in the garbage. He was nearly in tears. When I came to pick him up she came up to me and said, "You must recycle at home." She went on to explain what happened and I told her that he had started his own little recycling business in our neighborhood and that's why he wanted the bottle so badly. I gave her one of his fliers. They were SO tickled to hear of his success and gave him another water bottle to recycle. I related the story to Ethan's grandma.

Business owners who belong to the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce mixer have invited Ethan to come and speak at their monthly mixer. More specifically the invitation came from Rich Geist, Director of Public Relations and Sponsorship and his assistant Connie Howard, head of Community Promotion. He is being presented to the community as the youngest entrepreneur/Capitalist that they know. Ethan's very enthusiastic Grandma, who is a member of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, was bragging the above story which inspired the invitation. He is scheduled to speak on the 22nd in June (Thursday) at the Solano County fairgrounds from 5:30 to 7:30pm. I'd like to formally invite any of the Free Capitalists (Rick, Michelle, Gabe, Les, etc....) who have the inclination to attend. I thought it only appropriate for one of you to be there as one of the first members of this great Stripling Capitalist Revolution is formally recognized as a contributing member of the community.

As his official speech writer, I'm still formulating his speech in my head, but I'd like to include the thirteen principles, something about "Earth Camp" (that will play into his recycling quite well), a plug for the Free Capitalist project and still have it be short and sweet. I'll post his speech here before he gives it to get some feedback before the big day. Just wanted to give everybody a heads up.

First time Recycling

It finally stopped raining last week so I decided to let Ethan take his fliers around to the neighbors. We went at about 3pm last Tuesday and not many people were home. He talked to 7 people before deciding he was tired. Two people said no. The first was an old woman who came down the street wanting to know what we were doing at her neighbors house who wasn't home. He gave her a flier. After looking at it for a second she wanted to know what he was going to do with the money, found that part on the flier and said, "Oh. Well, don't bother going to my house." As I recall she doesn't participate in Halloween either.

The other woman who said no said she already gave her recyclables to her brother who was blind.

The other five people said they would participate. I must admit....today, a week later, I was nervous. What if they forgot? What if they ALL forgot? I play the "what if" game a little too much ( ...to my detriment)

When we first left the house he seemed more interested in finding snails and bugs along our path. I kept telling him, "Focus, honey, ...focus."

Every single person who Ethan gave a box to not only remembered to leave their "Recycling with Ethan" box out today... they were FILLED to capacity. All of them were displayed proudly on their porches with his label facing the street. A few people even put them on cute little stools to keep them off the ground. It was like he was on an Easter egg hunt. After only those 5 houses his wagon was completely loaded. We took it all down to the recycling place and he got $8.17.

He did it all himself. He pulled the wagon. He loaded all the bottles and cans.

From start to finish it took about an hour. I think if he wants to get more people to participate he'll have to come by another day so he doesn't get worn out or overloaded all on Tuesdays.

I learned something today. Despite all my personal fears, nervousness and "what ifs"... he did it. THEY did it. Everybody did their part and did it well. Ethan didn't ever doubt that he would find his boxes. His only question was,
"Why don't they have a box?" pointing across the street.
"You didn't talk to them, sweetie. They weren't home, remember?"
"Oh. Can we talk to them?"
"Sure! But, we'll have to do that later. Daddy's waiting for us"

I think next week I'll help him write a little note to the neighbors to leave in their recycle boxes.

I took the following pictures along the way with my camera phone.

Recylcing with Ethan Flyer Revision

Cookiemonsterette,

My only question is on the percentages. Yes, saving is a good idea, but I would recommend that you use 100% to learn money management. Take the 50% and do what you were planning on doing to help him learn how to manage money, donate 10% to a cause he feels is worth while (I'm assuming this portion is tithing which is a principle that children can't learn early enough), but use the other 40% to help him save for a more immediate goal. I remember when my parents talked about my college savings account when I was young it was just as good to me as not having money at all, and when I was finally given stewardship over it at the age of 16 when I started working, I literally spent it ALL. I was forced into saving for something that seemed so distant when I was young, that I didn't learn the virtues of frugality and what savings truly is for. So, my recommendation is to have him save for something that he can further produce results with. Use the 50% for the candy bars and the movies, but use the 40% for working towards a goal that is conceivable to him, but seems slightly out of reach... what that "thing" is will probably be up to his imagination and your approval. I hope I'm not babbling, and I'm making sense. College savings just seems too far out. Besides, if through this exercise he learns to be a producer, he won't having any problem coming up with money for college. Just an idea.

Good point! And thank-you so much for your input Genseng. His having 100% control over the money is very important.
We had a talk to discuss something "big" that is a bit more tangible for a 4 year old. He wants to go to Disneyland! I have some Montessori percentage circles that we used to talk about how he wants to divide up the profits. He wants 60% to go towards saving for Disneyland and 30% for everyday spending. 10% is still for tithing.

However, just saying "savings" on the flier will probably appeal to the consumer mindset of the neighbors.

I also changed it from "Recycling for Ethan" to "Recycling with Ethan". I decided the word "for" sounded a little too passive and victim-like.

Recycling with Ethan

My son Ethan (4) has discovered that in order to get things he wants from the store he needs money. I explained to him that if he recycles bottles and cans that he would be helping the environment. That was valuable to people and so they would give him dollars for it. Our first trip recycling he got $2.01. He was THRILLED! He's very interested in getting as many bottles as he can so I suggested that we ask our neighbors to participate. I've made up a flier for him to hand out to the neighbors on our block.

Quote:

My name is Ethan and I am 4 years old. I want to help the environment. Rather than throwing your bottles and cans away I want to recycle them. I am starting a recycling program on my block. Every Tuesday I’m going to pull my wagon around the block with my Mom collecting plastic, aluminum and glass cans and bottles. All you have to do is leave your recyclables in my “Recycling for Ethan” box on your porch on Garbage day and I will take them away for you.

My mom is also teaching me about money. Forty percent of all the recycling profits will go directly into my saving account for college. Ten percent will be donated. I am going to learn money management with the remaining fifty percent. Every so often I’ll leave a note and let you know about my progress.

We've got some other things to get done before handing the fliers out next Tuesday (04/11), so before then I'd really appreciate some feedback on the flier, wording, percentages and strategy in general.

Thank you!!!!