Lessons from a six-year-old’s lemonade stand.

Dear Finnian. You’re six and you just had your first lemonade stand. When you were asked if you learned any lessons, you were too excited about all of the cash money you made to reply thoughtfully. Maybe it’s also because you’re six. Regardless of the reason, as your mother, I’d like to share with you the lessons I think you may have learned this time around:

Dress for success: blow your nose and pull up your pants before business begins. And then wash your hands again. Repeat as necessary.

Do the math. Cups and cookies and quarters. It can be confusing. Make sure you have change.

The person in front of you is the most important person. It was easy to get excited at the line forming or the other potential customers walking toward you on the sidewalk. But that doesn’t mean you ignore the person right in front of you in the hopes that you might get someone else. Stay focused and stay thankful.

Attention to detail / Surprise and delight. You were determined to get little umbrellas for your lemonade when we were shopping for supplies the day before. You asked each and every person if they’d like an umbrella for their drink and it put a smile on the face of each and every person you asked. Those types of details will set you apart. Keep up the good work.

Always thank a soldier for their service. And give them free lemonade and chocolate chip cookies.

Be thankful. Thank them for buying your lemonade. Thank them for stopping by. Thank your help. (You’re welcome.)

And as Baz Luhrmann once said, always wear sunscreen. (But really, Mary Schmich. But not Kurt Vonnegut. Lesson learned.)