How Can I Get My Kids Out Of Computer Games And Into Making Money?

It can look as though our kids are wasting time, or doing unimportant things - remember, childhood is a time of exploration, and exploration doesn't always take you in a straight line toward a clearly visible goal.

It is important that your child learns the basics about money and business, and it is important that they develop good money habits.

But if they aren't banking $1,000 a month from their business - so what?

Not every kid who straps on a pair of ice skates ends up with an Olympic gold medal and a slew of endorsements.

Not every kid who picks up a ladle in their kitchen turns out to be Jamie Oliver, sprouting restaurants all over the world.

And your child doesn't have to be a superstar achiever in business to gain valuable skills and confidence from the experiences they are having.

This is an answer to one of the frequently asked questions from the Cash-Smart Kids Program, and is copyright. All rights reserved.

Q. I can't get my son to do anything with the computer except play games. How will he ever accomplish anything if he doesn't get serious?

A. Play is a serious business for kids.

They learn skills while playing games - although some games are more educational than others, of course! You could try steering him towards simulation games which teach business and economic principles, like Pharaoh and its successors, Civilisation, Age of Empires and Sim City.

Don't get too anxious, though - while computer skills and internet knowledge are very useful, they are not essential for business success. If he doesn't want to learn how to make web pages, your son can always hire someone to do the technical stuff for him.

The activity which is absolutely vital for entrepreneurs is promotion.

If you can get him talking about a business, handing out fliers, offering special deals like "buy one, get one free" and "free trial", and doing the other promotional activities we are teaching, then he will always be able to get a business off the ground and get the money to pay someone else for any other skills he doesn't have himself.

On the other hand, if he learns "serious things" on the computer, he may one day have the greatest idea ever, draw up the plans on a CAD system, and spend hours networking with other experts in online forums, but if he doesn't have the vital skills required to promote his idea, it will wither on the vine.

Promotion is the key, because, as the old saying goes "the world will not beat a path to your door".

Q. My daughter isn't interested in doing anything with the computer except MySpace and instant messaging. How do I get her motivated to make her own business website?

A. It may be a question of timing - perhaps in a few weeks she will feel differently.

It may be that she doesn't yet realise that she can make money from her own web site - if you suspect that might be the case, show her Ashley Quall's WhateverLife.com site, and tell her Ashley's story.

It may also be a lack of confidence, in which case the best approach is to start doing the process yourself, and involving her in each step as much as she is willing to become involved.

Slowly, over time, as she gains experience, she will gain confidence.

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