Hello, dear readers!
Caiden, our seven-year-old whom we affectionately call “Hot Sauce,” recently took part in a chocolate bar fundraiser for his baseball team. If you’ve ever dealt with school fundraisers, you know they’re not always a favorite—but this one turned into something special. Caiden received two boxes of chocolate, each holding 60 bars. My dad happened to be visiting when the boxes arrived, and being the incredible papa he is, he bought an entire box on the spot. Yes, the whole thing! He can’t even eat chocolate right now because he’s committed to a healthier lifestyle. Now that’s a devoted grandfather!
That left Caiden with 60 bars to sell on his own. Here’s the tricky part: I still don’t know many people in California. I stay home, Chris works out of Nashville, and both our families live in other states. So who were we supposed to sell those 60 chocolate bars to? I definitely didn’t want chocolate sitting around the house for long—that’s just asking for trouble. Fortunately, I’m not a fan of the particular chocolate Caiden was selling. If it had been Godiva, Cadbury, Dove, or another dreamy brand, this mama would have been in serious danger!
We live in a California apartment complex that feels like a close-knit little community in a very safe area. Caiden decided he wanted to approach some neighbors to sell his chocolate. I loved the idea and felt proud of his enthusiasm. Chris and I reminded him to be polite, explain the purpose of the fundraiser, and not get discouraged if someone said no. On his first outing, Caiden sold 27 bars in just about 20 minutes! He came back beaming, eager to share his success. Over the next two days, he made two more trips around the complex and sold the remaining bars.
This experience turned out to be a wonderful lesson for Caiden. He felt immense pride and confidence in what he achieved entirely on his own. He discovered that perseverance and hard work truly pay off. I was amazed at how well he did, and I couldn’t be prouder of his go-getter spirit. He raised $120 for his baseball league. Of course, as his mom, I want him to need me, but I also believe it’s crucial for children to develop independence, decision-making skills, and self-assurance. Without these qualities, we’re not setting our kids up for success. I never imagined a baseball fundraiser could teach such a valuable life lesson.
“Hot Sauce” and his fundraiser money.
I’d love to hear your stories about your children, independence, or creative ways to nurture a child’s self-confidence.
Hugs,
K
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