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Me, My Kid and Life I started the website in the Fall of 2006 just after my daughter, Sophie and I moved to Antibes - which is in the South of France. A year later we moved to Strasbourg, France to further Sophie's education and in hopes of finding a more artistically inclined community. Although we did not find one I did create one through starting the Strasbourg International Film Festival. Like they say, if you can't find it, create it! Sophie and I tend to travel quite a bit. We've traveled extensively throughout the US and have visited many cities and countries in the European Commonwealth, as well. I am an American. Sophie has both a French and American citizenship. Our goal in living in France was to allow Sophie the opportunity to become fluent in French as well as learn about French society and politics. Sophie's father is French - but doesn't speak a word of it. I didn't want Sophie to incur the same despised fate, now she won't. Both sides of the family are equally important. I tried to allow Sophie a cultural awareness to who she is as a whole, not solely from my point of view. Sophie has her own section on this website where you can watch her films, read her poetry and buy her custom made-to-order dreadlocks. She makes some of the absolute best dreads you can find anywhere in the world. I have been working at home and online for a few years now. I write articles about the process of working from home and having your own online business in the business section. It is my hope to inspire others to follow their dreams and live the life they truly want to live. Anything is possible for those willing to walk through their fear to achieve their goals. Check out my blog for the latest! Today I drove Sophie to the airport where she caught a flight - with two lay-overs - to France. We moved back to the States 14-days ago, yesterday we finally decided on a new home, today she's gone to pick up the dog, Jeffrey - who has been in the loving *cross fingers* arms of some very hot dude (uh, I mean French friend) of Sophie's. Jeffrey is our 3 1/2-year-old shitzu. We got him from the pound in Vegas. He's a pure breed with papers... worthless papers since the pound chopped of his manhood. Jeffrey is part of the family, but Sophie's dog. It is very nice to see that Sophie is taking responsibility when it comes to ensuring Mr. Higgins (Jeffrey's full name is Jeffrey Higgins) returns home safely. Of course, it also allows her to spend this crucial Christmas break time with her French friends with whom she has become very close. The other day Sophie or I mentioned to someone that she would be returning to France. The woman was very surprised that such a young person would be traveling alone. Sophie and I looked at each other like... huh... okay. I'm done parenting. All decisions are Sophie's now. She can listen or not, it's her choice since she is over 18. I like trusting her, allowing her her rightful freedom and watching her grow. I'm done. Now she's on her own... with me right here and fully backing her. We are going through a new rites of passage, a new transition. I like it. I've done my job and I'm ready to watch Sophie fly. I'm here for her, but it's her life. I've taught her everything she needs to know to make her own way in life. She is fully capable of being a productive member of society... and honestly, isn't that really what our jobs are as parents? For the past several years, I have had an online business. The business has allowed me the opportunity to be self-employed even while living in France. In France, teens don't work. From what I am told, the only teens that work, in France, are those who have dropped out of school. So, if you are a teen in school, you are not allowed to get a job. The mentality about teens and jobs, or teens and working, in France is fairly opposite of how we view jobs for teens, in the States. Sophie and I were recently filling out her college applications and one of the main areas of importance has to do with extra-curricular activities, employment and volunteering. As a teen in France, it is very likely that you will be obligated to join clubs through your direction of study - theater majors would join the theater club, film majors would join the cinema club, etc. In the US, a teen might join a club, or work as an intern, or have a job. SiteBuildIt! can help your child (or you!) build a profitable website. Check it out! It might be what you are looking for... Here in France, when I've mentioned that Sophie wants to work, I'm told it's not possible until she is 18-years-old. The French simply have a way of viewing teens and jobs that is very different from the way American view it, in general. While I respect their right to their cultural beliefs, Sophie and I seem to be quite American in our beliefs about teens and jobs. I feel that allowing a teen to create her own income allows her to begin to become independent while still under the wing, protection and care of her family. It allows her to begin to have her own money while still not supporting herself. For example, about a year ago, Sophie wanted these cool fuzzy platform boots. She saved her money and bought them. The experience gave the opportunity to do something for herself that was important to her. It taught her the value of money as well as the value of financial freedom. She was not only very aware of the cost of the boots, but she was also aware of the cost of the shipping from the States ($25). France is a socialized country. The individual and the States are very intertwined. This is not the case for in American. I recently heard it described like this, "Americans are from the Wild, Wild West while Europeans are from the Vatican." So picture an American on a horse... Hi Ho Silver! Now picture a group of people all sitting together to make a decision... very different mentalities. The government in France is expected to take care of its people. The government in the US... doesn't. This might be why the French do not want their children to work until the age of 18, while American families want their children to learn early how to take care of themselves.  In any case, Sophie and I have considered online job opportunities for her over the past couple years. Some of the things we have come up with are making dreads, creating a blog, and making films and seeking online distribution for them (she's not been motivated toward the later, but has made several and has sent a couple of her films out to film festivals). If there is a theme toward our approach to teens and jobs, or teens and making money, it is our strong belief that a person should earn an income from doing something they love (or at least enjoy) - creating an income through motivation and inspiration. I have always been a strong advocate of Sophie starting her own blog for a few reasons. First, she lives a fairly unique and interesting life for a teen. Therefore, she is in a unique opportunity to share something with others that few would otherwise have the opportunity to know about. Second, by building a blog for a couple years, there is a good chance that is will bring in an income by the time she is in college. Next, a blog is something a teen can do in their free time and is something each child can create individually, as they like... to fit their own style and personality. Well, all my great reasons for starting a blog and allowing it to create an income gradually means nothing if the teen is not so inclined or motivated. Until today, Sophie has not been motivated. Today is different. Today, Sophie become inclined.... and very motivated. What changed? Her attitude about it. Nothing more. This morning, Sophie met a friend at 9:00am. Why so early? Because he was skipping school and wanted to meet at a cafe. Sophie was game. She had the time, why not was her attitude. Personally, I felt a little more reserved on the matter. Nonetheless, they met. Last night, her friend was depressed. When I asked, 'Why?'. She said, 'Look at his life. He does nothing. He's made a lot of mistakes and he regrets it. He's 20 and still in high school. (I know, I just felt all the Americans gasp... Yeah, been there. Actually, it doesn't seem to be too uncommon here in France.) So, when Sophie and her friend got together this morning he started showing her a website he created. She was impressed. Sophie suggested that he consider creating a website for profit after he has finished high school. When she got home, she told me about her morning, sat down at the laptop and starting working on her blog. She has since created several blogs today. I don't know if this will last, or not. What I do know is that Sophie was inspired and that inspiration has done more for her website in a day than anything else since its inception. There is nothing like motivation to inspire someone. Me My Kid and Life on Facebook
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