Raising Kids Around the Family Business (Without Raising Resentment)
Jan 29, 2026
One of the quiet questions many women in flooring carry is this:
How do I raise my children around the business without making them resent it—or feel trapped by it?
Not every child will want to inherit the family business. And that’s not a failure. In fact, how you handle this question may shape your children’s relationship to work, autonomy, and leadership for the rest of their lives.
During a recent conversation, a store owner with younger children shared that some of her kids are already showing interest—not necessarily in flooring, but in building something of their own. She enjoys having them around the store, yet worries about whether exposure could turn into pressure over time.
A more experienced store owner and parent offered a perspective that resonated deeply. Here are three principles she’s lived by.
1. Don’t complain about the business in front of your kids
Children absorb tone more than content. If the business is always framed as stressful, burdensome, or draining, they internalize that owning something equals sacrifice and struggle. That doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect—it means being mindful not to make the business the villain of the household.
2. Make inheritance an option, not an obligation
When children feel that the business is theirs to choose, the dynamic changes. There’s curiosity instead of pressure. Respect instead of resistance. Let them know the door is open—but so are many others.
3. Support their interests, even when they diverge
Ironically, the more freedom children feel to pursue their own paths, the more positively they tend to view the family business. Whether they step into it later or not, they grow up understanding entrepreneurship, responsibility, and ownership—not as a mandate, but as a possibility.
Raising kids around a business doesn’t mean raising future owners. It means raising humans who understand work, choice, and agency. When done well, the business becomes a classroom—not a burden.
Ready to Stay Connected?
Raising children around a family business brings questions that don’t always have clear answers. The Connect Membership was created for women who want support, perspective, and real conversations with others who understand both ownership and motherhood.
Inside the Connect Membership, you’ll get:
-
Access to ongoing conversations with women in flooring
-
Shared experiences around leadership, family, boundaries, and growth
-
Insights and discussions that extend beyond tactics into real life
-
Connection without pressure — come as you are
Once enrolled, you’ll also be invited to join our free online community, where these conversations continue between calls and content.
If you’re looking for a place to stay connected, learn from others, and feel less alone in the work you’re doing — this is a great place to start.
👉 Join the Connect Membership here.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW BLOGS DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOU
We share industry news, best practices, and highlights from our community.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
