Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand: How to Create a Culture That Cares for Kids

by James Vollbracht

Children's lives today are complex, stressful, and dangerous. Kids are overscheduled, come home to empty houses and neighborhoods where they don't know a soul, and in school, face violence-all too often from their peers. In Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand , James Vollbracht provides a blueprint for transforming our unstable and disconnected culture into a healthier, supportive one. Vollbracht bases his approach on six overlapping circles of community-our personal circle, families, neighborhoods, larger communities, business worlds, and elders-and outlines simple actions within each circle that will help rescue our kids. Through a rich blend of heartwarming anecdotes and creative, practical strategies, Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand affirms the age-old wisdom that the power and responsibility to heal our communities rest in our own hands.

Genres: Parenting, Business

182 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Emily Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can confidently say this is one of my favourite books I’ve ever read. I’d love to read more on the subject but this is a wonderful introduction of community engagement and putting youth first. Everyone please read this, I don’t know how to make “recommendations” on the app so take this as my formal recommendation.

[Trace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The topic of communities is a favorite one of mine. All of my most favorite pieces of fiction are centred around the theme of community. This was a valuable book on cultivating a culture and community that values children. There were countless examples of people, on their own, who are doing what they can to cultivate such communities. It was quite encouraging to me and its setting my own mind a-whirling....

The chapter on elders and reconnecting the old with the young was priceless and the idea behind this chapter is well worth the price of the book if it opens up the eyes to others as to how damaging age segregation is (and how widespread).

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying not to be cynical. Cute little stories about teachers taking the classroom bully out to the movies. Excellent approach, but I'm not even allowed to give a student a ride home if they miss the bus....

I guess this book should be inspiring people to take more risks in embracing and touching the lives of our youth, but I'm seeing all of the legalities in place that seem to make humanity a bit of a crime at times. For example, at my church rummage sale, my son paid with pennies, nickels, and dimes for a $3 skateboard. He wanted to ride it right away and went out to the parking lot (this was the evening before the sale and there wasn't any traffic). Oh no! You can't ride that on our property...liability.... etc. It was almost a perfect childhood moment.

I'm at a polka with my son and take an hour break from dancing to watch my son and a new friend run around the grounds of the community club. They notice a huge snowbank rendering a tree easy to climb. I watch, the smile on my face growing, as I reminisce about how this is what childhood is made of, and this is why I moved here. Immediately, "Get off that tree! Liability, etc. etc. from a representative of the building.

Add this to what appears to be a quintessential neighborhood but none of the kids play together outside. It's all done on the sports fields, something my son isn't interested in. Everyone seems terrified of us, no matter how many times I introduce myself, no matter how many times they see my husband walk him to school, play ball with him (alone) in our backyard, etc.

My son does make a connection with another non-sports kid, and when I meet the parents in order to establish a relationship, I find that his house is very unsafe and scary.

I think we're all worried about scary pedophiles, and the idea of a community where people connect again the way we used to seems more difficult than this author suggests.

I will continue to stop at every lemonade stand...

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children need to know that grown-ups care about them-- not just family members or teachers, pastors or scout leaders -- just buy the cup of lemonade or the box of Girls Scout cookies!

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never finished it fully. Great content.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas for individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools, community, business, and government in creating a culture that cares about kids.

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bless the beasts and the children for in this world they have no voice.

[Dale Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains great ideas to keep our focus on caring for children

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some excellent strategies for building a culture that gives our kids a voice, a purpose and a meaningful role in society.

[Barbc]

8

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice premise. A little out of date but overall themes still important. Be connected. Start small. Good advice!

[Cathy Boris]

Much of this book is outdated. So much has changed since the late nineties (1990s).
The message is still great especially for many things being dealt with now. Anyone working with children would benefit from reading this book.