Jan's Editorials

Objective Protection

By: Jan Verhoeff

Quite often our children are presented opportunities requiring our consentual agreement to complete. Recently, my daughter received such an opportunity.

I felt confident that she was up to the task, and seriously considered allowing her to accept the opportunity. I pondered the suggestion quite objectively at first, even considering several options necessary to work out the details.

After the initial excitement wore off, and the reality of the choices were brought home, I realized the opportunity wasn't as grand as it had been represented. I declined the invitation.

Much anger expressed by my daughter came my way at first, then an understanding. Things are not always as they appear to be. Sometimes the reality of a situation is far deeper than the surface reveals.

As a parent, we are often called on to make snap decisions, in response to simple questions.

"Mom, can I go with Johnny and his Daddy fishing on Saturday?" is a familiar cry.

My answer is often given without much thought as to consequences. And in most cases, no real thought is needed in that direction. However, those moments when consequences are lifting in wafts of smoke from the question, I tend to think twice.

So it is with business. As a stay at home parent, working to support my family, the process comes full circle. My thoughts often tumble out in a maze of confusion, responding to needs as they arise. With goals and objectives set squarely in place, I can make choices without much serious consideration, based on my objectives.

There are moments however, when I have to look deeper.

Don't be afraid to seek a deeper response, and follow your instincts, both with your children and your home based business.