So here's an interesting situation...my 7yo is a rock hound. Loves stones of every shape, size, and type. He literally has multiple apple crates full of stones. Now he's decided that he wants to share them with the world, and make a profit at the same time. He wants to open a "rock shop."

The challenge I'm having is guiding him through the challenges of making a legitimate go of this without seeming like I'm quashing his aspirations.

We live on the dead end of a cul-de-sac. Whirlwind is clever enough to realize that the three neighbors who live beyond us don't share his passion for rocks and he's not going to get much natural traffic to his shop, if he sets up at the curbside of our front lawn. His answer was to set up a stand on the sidewalk at his school. Great concept! It's certainly the one place he has access too with amazing foot traffic...BUT I pointed out that it's 8 miles from home, so "manning the store" is really tough. And there are probably school rules about trying to sell anything on school property.

His next concept regarding location was to set up shop about 1/2 mile from our house where our road connects to the main artery. Again, full marks for solving the traffic issue, but I had to point out that the main road is a divided highway and his mother and I can't keep an eye on him out there. That's just not safe. We won't let him do it.

Not to be discouraged, he decided the answer was an unmanned display case with a few samples, a sign and contact information to "call for an appointment." I love his determination, but I had to point out that we don't own the property at the end of the street. We can't just put up a display case and signage without the permission of who ever owns that land.

In all of this, I'm trying very hard not to just say, "no, that won't work, because..." I've been trying to guide him to think it through for himself. At one point, he was talking about recruiting classmates to gather stones for him as inventory! So I asked him. "Ok, if your buddies are doing that kind of work for you, and their providing you with stones to sell, how are you going to pay them? They've done work for you and they deserve to be rewarded right? Just like when you do chores around the house for allowance. Have you figured out how much you're going to share with them?" He's since put hiring on hold, because he hasn't worked in his own mind whether he's willing to share profits or not.

So I guess I'm wondering. Has anyone had an experience like this? How do you encourage the child to think the project through without compromising safety or seeming like you're not being helpful? I don't want him to think I'm just naysaying all of this to prevent him from doing it?

Curious to hear folks' thoughts.

Online! Ebay!

Oh, wait, he's 7... hmmm...

I'm very curious as to how this ends up.

I would also probably toss in the idea that perhaps he needs to "add value" to his rocks to make them more appealing to the general public. They could afterall, pick up their own rocks, just like he did. "Convenience" may not be enough to get folks to buy. Maybe add some school colors to them. And they need a good marketable name... "spirit rocks" or something... (chicks dig sparkles) And does he have a rock tumbler?

Wasn't it about 20-30 years ago, when someone glued some googly eyes to rocks and made bank?

But to answer your question, I think you're doing well giving him different scenarios, and he's definitely battling through them very well. Asking leading questions is certainly better than saying "you can't..."

Wouldn't it be serendipitous if he grew up to open a jewelry store?

My son picks up rocks and adds them to "his rock collection" all the time. I only let him add one at a time. (Said "rock collection" is a decorative plate with rocks and candles we have in the dining room.)

Nik -- thanks for the thoughts.

Your suggestions on how he might make them more marketable are great ones. I'll have to pose those questions to him.

We borrowed a rock tumbler from friends and burned it up. I expect I'll be buying a pair, a replacement for our friends and one for our home.

I appreciate the support regarding trying to ask him leading questions.

If we're going to allow him to pursue this, we still have to overcome the biggest challenge of retail "location, location, location." I'll keep folks posted as it develops.

I posted this situation on my own blog here: krellpw.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/leading-or-stifling/ and was chatting with some Facebook friends as well.

One of them had a great suggestion that I look into a local flea market, or craft fair/market where we could rent a booth/table one time to see how it goes.

Whirlwind might get a sense of what's involved in running a business. It would be (assuming we only do it once to start) a one time relatively low cost investment in both time and money for me. I'm going to have to do some investigating.

It would give him a legitimate shot at earnest foot traffic.

Really @addisonadler?! 10!? That certainly is a Paul Bunyan sized serving of SPAM this early in the morning!

I think Nik's idea is actually a good one.

Why not create a little web page? Take pictures of the inventory. He could create a little blog "spotlighting" his favorite rock of the week. That might satisfy his need to "actually do something."

I recognize this all too well. What is it with boys and rocks? I've got cardboard boxes full of crystals -- which are really nothing more river rocks and landscaping fill.

Also, this earning money thing never stops. My oldest, now 13, has a gang of buddies that is constantly hatching ideas to finance their dreams of owning a go-kart. Their ambitions are enormous! And I hate to be the nay-sayer as well. Usually, the ideas fade over time.

I think I'll use this as a topic on the live show today. Thanks for the fun thread.

(Also, my apologies for the spam. We are getting hammered at the moment. There is an army of spammers crawling on the site. Since these are humans, there is really nothing to do but delete and ban as they post. It's really exhausting me at the moment. Not much to do other than that. Thanks for your patience.)

@Daddy Clay

Glad to provide a thread/inspiration for the live show. I'll try to tune in, schedule permitting.

The issues around creating a website are wholly my own. It's the whole conundrum about how mechanics drive the crummiest cars because they spend all day working on other people's vehicles. You know? I'm on the computer all day at work. I'm not convinced I've got the drive to help him build a site.

For largely selfish reasons, I'd almost prefer the manual route of setting up and sitting at a table at a flea market.

The primary concern though remains: How do I help him think through the logistical challenges, without constantly saying, 'no, you can't do that because...'

(As for the spammers, can't be helped. They certainly are going old school aren't they? Keep up the great work!)

You could always sell at the local farmers market if there is one in your area. The clientele is a bit better than flea markets and you might be able to score a free spot.