Children Need to be Needed
The Hunts’ Handy Helpers
Over A Decade of Purpose, Responsibility, and Real-World Learning
Children Need a Purpose. A Function. A Knowing They Are Needed.
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Children need a purpose and a function, and a knowing that they are needed and a major part of society.
When my daughters were 10, 9, and 8 years old, we created something called The Hunts’ Handy Helpers.
Our business went on for over 10 years.
My three daughters and I began serving families around Park Ridge. What started as small jobs became something much bigger.
The girls earned lots of money toward their college savings.
But most valuable were all the skills and lessons they learned.
They learned how to communicate with adults.
They learned how to schedule and plan.
They learned how to figure out the tasks and responsibilities of each job.
They learned how to follow through.
They learned how to show up.
They learned how to problem-solve.
They learned work ethic.
The life lessons they learned were most valuable.
All services were overseen and supported by us as parents.
What mattered most was not the monetary value.
Our main concern was helping our fellow community members
and for our daughters to learn the lessons of responsibility and contribution.
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For over a decade, they served their community.
And in doing so, they learned that they were needed.
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Children do not need more entertainment.
They need responsibility. They need contribution. They need to know they matter.
The Hunts’ Handy Helpers was never just a small-town service. It was a living laboratory in purpose, resilience, communication, and responsibility.
And the lessons they learned are lessons I carry into every classroom, every workshop, and every leadership conversation.
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Key Takeaways:​
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• Children thrive when given responsibility
• Children grow when trusted
• Children build resilience through real work
• Purpose builds confidence
• Contribution builds identity
Three years into the Hunts Handy Helpers business
Because they wanted to provide pool services, my daughters completed Red Cross lifeguard training, along with CPR and First Aid.
My daughters learned how to care for all types of pets. Lots of trips to pet stores, veterinarians, and zoos to learn about different animal habits. Some unique pets included frogs, chicks, and Koi fish!
My daughters thought plant care would be an easy task to take on... until they came across a job that included a backyard oasis of tropical plant life.
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During three seasons of the year, the tropical plants were stored in a greenhouse, and during the summer season, the Hunts' Handy Helpers learned how to use their green thumbs!
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Trips to the Botanical Gardens and Plant Nurseries gave the Helpers lots of hands-on information to learn how to care for different plant life. Some unique plant life included a pineapple plant, a banana tree, and the mango tree!
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