Preparing Our Kids for a Future We Can’t Predict

Parenting is basically one long tug-of-war—half of me wants to bubble-wrap my kids forever, and the other half knows I can’t.

I have two kids. My daughter is older, almost ready to head off to college. She has always been fiercely independent—one of those kids who tries everything, resists direction (read: ignores me completely), and carves her own (successful) path anyway.

Entrepreneurship came to her naturally, and her self-motivation continues to surprise and impress me. Watching her has been a reminder that sometimes our kids don’t need us to teach them as much as we think—they just need space to become who they already are. Was this nature or nurture? I'm going to say she was born with this gift.

My son, on the other hand, is younger. And like many parents, I can’t help but feel the weight of wanting to prepare him for a future that is both incredibly exciting and unbelievably competitive. Getting into college is tough enough; I could NOT even get into my own alma mater (Boston University) today with how competitive admissions is. (That’s another reason I know entrepreneurship matters. When kids can demonstrate entrepreneurial success on top of strong academics, colleges have one more reason to say “yes.”)

I love my son more than I can logically make sense of. I know I can’t protect him from everything. What I can do is give him the tools to navigate life.

That means teaching him how to think when it’s hardest to think—when emotions are high, when fear sets in, when decisions feel impossible. I want him to be curious, to fail and try again, to explore cultures and perspectives that challenge his own. I want him to have empathy and gratitude, but also the courage to face his flaws without letting them control him.

For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting businesses—it’s about preparing kids for life. Our workshops give students a platform to explore, problem-solve, and make sense of the world around them. They dive into real-life business scenarios that sharpen their decision-making, leadership, and collaboration skills, while also learning practical concepts they’ll carry into college, careers, and beyond.

And yes—they usually have fun, and even make money. And honestly, if they can learn to make their own money before they start asking me for $200 sneakers, I consider that a parenting win. But the real success is when they walk away curious, resilient, and excited to keep thinking like entrepreneurs.

At the end of the day, my goal as a parent is simple: to give my kids—not just the self-driven one, not just the one I feel pressure to prepare—but both of them—the confidence and resilience to face life head-on.

About the Author

Suzanne Appel - I’ve spent 25+ years in corporate consulting, digital marketing, business development, and start-ups. I earned my BS in Communications from Boston University, and today I serve as the Founder of Young CEO Squad. What matters most is this: I’m a mom trying to prepare my kids for a future I can’t predict—and helping other families do the same.