Rogue Wanderer: A Child Labor Law Repeal Lobbying Firm?

Before I even attempt to explain the title of this one, I have to say I hope some day I run for political office and this is taken completely out of context in a nasty campaign ad. I can see it now.

(Queue the ominous music)

(Scary voice-over guy's voice chimes in): "Randy Miller says children are a precious resource who deserve access to top-notch education and healthcare, but in 2016 he wrote an article supporting the repeal of child labor laws. Do you want your baby working in a factory? Paid for by the committee to re-elect Trump."

Of course the Trump I'm referring to in that is a gentleman named Steve Trump in a hotly contested HOA Treasurer campaign. I don't get political on this site. Now to explain the title...

This past Thursday, I got to participate in one of my favorite activities each year, volunteering for an organization called Junior Achievement. Each year our company volunteer's to teach the organization's business focused curriculum to elementary school students. It is such a great time, but leaves me more exhausted than any 10+ hour day I put in at my real job. If you think teachers don't work hard, I dare you to try it for just one day.

Last names redacted because I figured it's probably not a good idea to put children's full names on a public website.

I taught 4th grade for the 3rd year in a row. I think that's a good grade for me. They're still too young to be cynical and not old enough to argue with an authority figure. I guess that also makes them young enough to actually consider me an "authority figure".

Obviously, I chose the title of this article to be attention-grabbing, but the more I think about it, the more it actually makes some sense. Child labor laws were created to protect children from dangerous working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. Since the U.S. has shifted to a knowledge based economy working conditions wouldn't be that dangerous for children to be employed in creative fields. Looking at it it from that prospective, I might have to support (insert the name of whichever politician you hate most, told you I don't get political here) when he/she comes out in support of repealing these outdated laws. Of course there is the whole ethical dilemma of little Timmy's creative spirit being shaped by Coca-Cola's marketing department from age 6 on up. So I guess I'll stick to the title just being a ludicrous attention-grabbing move....for now. But in case anyone is wondering here's why they would make great workers in the knowledge economy. 

1. Creativity: When I told the kids I was starting my own business and tried to explain that it was going to be based around my passion for spontaneous travel and creative thought, they suggested some names. Randy's Restaurant and Randy's Rock Band were two of my favorites. I have to say I love the idea of a name having nothing to do with the business. I think it would really work well for nightclubs. I can already imagine the hot new Scottsdale club spot Jim's Heating and Air Conditioning. Genius!
2. Attention to Detail: Even though every volunteer, teacher, and I failed to notice it my name tag said "4th Grade" followed by a clip art design that said "Third Grade Rocks!" At least half a dozen kids noticed without hearing another kid mention it first.
3. Too Young to Be Cynical: I touched on this a little bit, but watching them brainstorm in groups is amazing. Brainstorming is one of the things I think adult groups struggle with the most. You can always tell there are some people who are afraid to speak their minds in adult groups for fear of being embarrassed. For 4th graders, if one kid thinks they should start a hoverboard company knowing their only natural resources are twine and precious metals, the rest are ready to hear this plan out. 
4. Smart Enough to Know if Something Doesn't Make Sense: They may not be cynical, but they know when something doesn't add up and are not afraid to ask questions about it. I made the mistake of trying to explain my idea to start a company without knowing what kind of product or service I wanted to get into. Those kids were quick to light into me with questions that I think would have impressed any analyst for an investment bank. I was reminded of the episode of Seinfeld where Jerry and George pitch their show about nothing. I was trying to pitch the kids on my "company about nothing" while they asked me what my plan was for making money. 

All joking aside, I did start to get some ideas for possible business strategies based on the things the kids were saying. To put everyone's mind at ease lobbying to repeal child labor laws is not a possible direction....I swear it isn't! I prefer a better option: 

Encourage more adults to embrace child-like creativity.