Teaching kids about money and my business-minded kid

Somehow, deep inside each one of us has a passion for something.  I believe, it is something unique God placed in every person. Each one, including a child is given one specific passion and a vision and it is us, parents who will help them seek for it, lead them to it and eventually encourage them to reach for that dream.

If you we're following my blog, I have seen my son's passion for planting since he was 3 years old (http://www.mamamiakiddos.blogspot.com/2011/09/growing-plants-is-good-for-teaching.html). He loves planting - he loves seeing things grow. His nanny planted 4 Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) stems in front of our house and it started growing, my son waters his plants every morning when he wakes up and occasionally I see him talk to his plants. Aside from the thriving Malunngay, he already harvested melons, okras, tomatoes and bell peppers.  The other day, I surprised him with 2 packs of Cilantro and Sweet Pepper seeds I bought at the Supermarket. He was so happy, he kept hugging and kissing me for those seeds.

I might have found my son's passion which was clear to me as a mom when he turned 6.  He loves to plant and "collect" money out of things he make. My entrepreneurial son, started his business at the age of 5. He would make paper wallets and sell them to family and friends. At age 5, he knows how to count money faster than when he learned how to read. He was able to count his money (including coins) up to P1000+ (not just big bills). When I asked him what toy he would like to buy, he would say "nothing.  I just want a box where I can save all my money in".

He is contented with whatever he has and doesn't ask for toys or stuff except to let him watch TV or play on the computer - but that is mostly it.  He would even tell me not to buy so much things when we already have so much. Most of the time, he is the one who would help remind me not to buy things anymore. I taught him to be comfortable with money that at 2, I would let him play with a can full of coins.  He was just fascinated with the sound it makes when he drops it in his coin bank.  Of course, I made sure they are soaked in alcohol before I let him play with it and have a keen eye on him so he doesn't try to eat it.

Some parents see money as literally and figuratively dirty - I don't think so.  I think that kids should be taught the value of money.  Parents should not encourage kids that just because they have money - they can buy anything they want to buy with it.  It would be a good thing to proportionate things on the money they have.  Ex. if they have P1,000 - P500 for savings, P300 for something they want, P100 for giving to someone, P100 as tithes.

He showed me that his Malunggay are so healthy, they are growing some giant leaves!

The Malunggay started growing to a 3 ft leafy plant.  Then, it grew and grew until it was as high as our roof.  It went so high and thought it was becoming really ugly. I told my son that it doesn't look nice anymore especially having those Malunggay in front of our house and that we should chop it off soon so we can plant some nicer plants. He would always argue with me, begging that I shouldn't, because he loves them and all his other plant friends.

Then came a time that I needed to breastfeed twins and definitely needed all the Malunggay I could have! So, I postponed the day I would chop it off. Then, came neighbors who would one by one give P10.00 to buy some Malunggay leaves which excites my son even more.  Along came a regular buyer who pays P50.00 per week who gets the leaves to sell in the market and I get to somehow tell him to chop it off shorter so it doesn't grow as tall as our house. I am sure, my son was praying so I won't chop his malunggay trees.

The idea of having Malunggay in front of the house is such an eyesore to me.  This lowly plant is called a "poor man's plant".  This poor man's plant only grew in 3rd world countries and so they don't look very pleasing as an ornamental plant in a garden.

Months ago, my husband was rushed to the ER for hypertension of 150/110.  He was regularly at 120/90 but that time it was way too high. It really worried me that I wanted a change or diet and lifestyle for my family.  My kids' weren't eating veggies or even if they do, I know it isn't enough to say they are getting enough. I heard about Wheatgrass but it was so expensive so I researched for something that is of the same nutritional value of that of Wheatgrass (or Barley) - then came this miracle vegetable - the Malunggay!

He insists on putting his own product to his food. He really loves it - he kept telling me that it is his magic potion. There are even days he would tell me to make sure there is his "magic potion" to his snack food in school.

I told Ice that what was planted in our garden is something that could help other people. I also told him if he wants to make it as his full-blown business, although it isn't going to be simple and if he wants it to grow... he needs a lot of patience (which he does). I also encouraged him that he should also try it so when he shares it to people he knows all about it.

We started to harvest some leaves, removed the wilted/yellowish leaves, washed them thoroughly with mineral water and dried them. I then, made it into a powder and placed it in a salt shaker. We put a dash of malunggay powder into every meal and my husband brings his own malunggay shaker to work. My husband's BP lowered, me and my kids are getting a good dose of veggies and most importantly... it doesn't hurt our pocket and yet my son gets to have his passion for planting and reaping all it's monetarily reward by just simply enjoying it.

He opened his 1st bank account solely from his own profit from the sales of his Malunggay business (not money from mom or dad!).

So, today... we went to the bank and he started to open his own bank account from the income he got from his little, growing business!

My son is selling his Power Malunggay (he was the one who named it) per pack of Malunggay Powder for P100 (fits 1 regular pepper shaker).

My little entrepreneur - working!
There is only 1 condition so he can do this - study (and finish his homework 1st) then business. That is his main goal for now. 

I am only his worker, marketer and his packaging designer. He grows the Malunggay and harvests them.  So, every Malunggay Powder you get is filled with love and devotion from a little child named - Ice!

Some info about this Power Malunggay:

• 7x the Vitamin C in Orange
• 10x more Antioxidant than any other vegetable.
• 4x the Vitamin E in Corn Oil
• 17x the Calcium in Milk
• 4x the Vitamin A in Carrots
• 6x the Amino Acids in Garlic 
• 2x more Polyphenol in Red Wine
• 2x more Protein in Meat 
• 5x more Fiberous than any common vegetable
• 2x more the iron in pork liver and ampalaya
• 3x more the potassium in Banana
• 50x more the Vitamin B in peanuts and in fish

Who could have missed this powerful blessing from God. I also feel blessed having a son who has the heart to be an investor.

You can shoot us a message if you would like to try Power Malunggay for your family. I am sure, you'll be delighted seeing your kids eat veggies everyday without even realizing they are actually eating one.