He has to sell football cards to raise money .

Our 16 year old son is faced with the same dilemma this time of the year . He must sell a certain number of these cards that offer a discount at local resturants in order to raise money for the football program . It is a feat that he loathes . It requires him to step out of his comfort box and ask someone to help him and his team with money . Now some parents are able to buy the amount necessary so their son doesn't have to sell and the truth be known we could do that , but I am not so sure we should . It is difficult to go out into the public and offer a good for sale , especially in our society today because we are people of instant gratification . Bill will learn to meet a stranger , look someone in the eye , be sincere , ask for support and overcome some of those "teenagerisms ." Of course , I am not a believer of sending your child out to do something dangerous , I realize every community has a different situation . But , I do think it is important to encourage our young people to stretch their personalities beyond their age group and learn to carry on a conversation with others . After Bill left on foot to walk our neighborhood , going door to door , my father in law called . He offered to buy 5 of the cards to help Bill out . My husband asked if I was going to tell Bill and I replied , "no." He remarked that I was going to let Bill suffer . I choose to think I am helping Bill grow . Maybe he will sell all 20 of the cards , maybe not . Either way , he doesn't lose because he has set out on foot with his cards in hand , a clean cut face , a friendly voice , polite manners and alitte courage that will go along way one day . One thing is for sure , selling these cards has given him one truth about himself . He doesn't like selling stuff for a living , but he is showing how to be mature enough to do the right thing . That could prove very valuable one day when he is choosing a career . Its hard to know what you like until you know forsure what you dislike .