Kids in Business:
Picking Up Where the Dogs Leave Off

I know of at least a couple of people (one of whom is a 10-year-old boy) in the St. Louis area who are currently earning money with the duty of doodie. Yes, it stinks. Yes, it's gross. And that is exactly why it's so easy to get people to pay you to do it for them.

Before you stomp off saying, "No kid of mine . . . ", let me point out that typical jobs for children under 16 are far from glamourous or safe. Paper routes involve walking the streets of your neighborhood before the sun comes up, when it is difficult for passing motorists to see your child. Grass cutting, by nature is dangerous. Even seemingly small slopes on slick grass could allow your child to lose control of the mower or slip underneath. Also, it is very seasonal work.

Babysitting might appear to be the best job available to your adolescent, but consider what could happen if things go wrong while your child is in charge. People are awfully eager to "take it to court" these days.

So, please, let's try to consider this pooper-scooper business without bias. As long as the dog owners keep the dog away from you (in the house, garage, or basement) while you work, safety is not an issue. You may want to call the dog owners ahead of time to tell them to bring in the dog.

You'll need a trash can on wheels, a pooper scooper or shovel, plastic gloves and face mask (optional), trash bags to line the trash can, and boots (in case of missteps).

Plan on making your pickups weekly. Base your rates on the number and size of dogs (you might want to make up a chart to give to your potential customers). Don't charge less than $5.00 per yard; getting the little landmines into the can and not on your boots is worth at least that much.

Print up a flyers and deliver them to nearby houses with dogs. Either put the flyer in their door or deliver it to them personally. You may have to do this several times to let people know that you're serious about cleaning up their backyard.

Once you have a few jobs, you might want to get fancy and tape a sign or flyer to your trash can as advertising. Or you can paint your logo on the back of a t-shirt and wear it as your uniform.

After pickup, leave an invoice to let the dog owners know you've completed your job. Your invoice should let them know how much to pay, the best way for them to pay you, and the next time you'll be back again.

A word to the wise: don't pick up anymore until they pay you for the previous time. If you let your customers slide a little, they might just try to take advantage of you.

Yes, your child will probably get ridiculed when his/her friends find out what he is cleaning up for a living; but wait until his friends find out how much money he earns­then the poop will be on the other foot.

* This is an excellent job for any person, regardless of gender or age. For the sake of simplicity, I have chosen only to use the pronoun "him" in this article. Girls can be successful doggie de-doodiers, too.

Editor's note: Whether your children take on this type of a job or something else, please talk to them about safety and sanitary issues before they tackle any new task. Obviously their health and well-being is the most important thing and should never be compromised.

If you're having trouble tackling the mess, send for a sample issue of Simplify! newsletter. Simplify! is written by, about, and for the organizationally challenged and the clutter encumbered.

Heather Hemingway also writes Simplify!, a newsletter by, about, and for the organizationally challenged and the cluttered encumbered. There is a way out of the mess and Simplify! will be there to see you to the other side. And, once you've reduced the clutter, Simplify! will provide the support you need to keep the mess from sucking you back down. To receive a sample issue of Simplify!, send $1.00 (check or money order) to:

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