The Story Behind the Name

So what's this whole 'Lemonade Stand' thing about? Let me share with you a bit about the story behind this idea.

Several years ago I married my wife and instantly became a dad to two young kids. In dividing up our duties, we decided I would handle the kids in the mornings, my wife in the evenings. It devolved into a major challenge as we would later come to discover that both children were on the Autism spectrum. Generally, these folks tend to have a really tough time with transitions and sleep hygiene! We typically started the day with an epic morning battle that often involved me physically dragging them out of bed (after my third unsuccessful attempt to rouse them by less jarring means) and, by the time I'd get them off to school, there would have been fighting, cereal spilling, hair pulling (me, of my own), multiple meltdowns, and no shortage of raised voices. I'd frequently arrive at work in a foul mood, feeling like I'd already experienced an entire, exhausting day! I decided, for all our sakes, this could not continue.

Along the way, I discovered that if I could get the kids to laugh first thing upon waking, it automatically set a positive tone for the morning and often helped us get our days started on the right track. So I started singing silly songs to them to get them to wake up. At first, I would sing "Morning's Here" from the "Friends" episode where Joey's across-the-alley neighbour would wake him each morning with this jubilant anthem. Each morning, I'd go into their rooms singing my silly song, and I wouldn't stop until I'd at least gotten a smile out of them. At some point, my daughter introduced me to what would soon become our favourite morning ballad - "The Duck Song" of Youtube fame. You can listen to it by clicking on the link below.

Essentially, it's a video about a little duck who "walks up to a lemonade stand and says to the man running the stand... 'Hey! (boop, boop, boop)...Got any grapes?'" (Spoiler alert - the man does not, in fact, sell grapes at the lemonade stand).

I did say it was silly, didn't I?

Here's the thing: the kids thought it was hilarious. And sure enough, it became easier and easier for my silly singing to wake them with a smile. I'd give them a little hug and kiss and begin prodding them out of bed. Mornings were changed from a time of stress and fighting into little bonding moments and cherished memories with my kids, filled with silly smiles and laughter. (Feel free to try this at home, just be aware that, as is the case with parenting, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution to morning-time stress).

But here's what I did learn: There is often great power in laughter and healthy routines. Challenges can indeed become opportunities... especially when it comes to relationships.

I wanted to give my practice and website a unique name with a personal connection. Lemonade stands represent a turning point in my relationship with my kids and my relationship with myself as a father. They can also represent many other things: a place of refreshment on a scorching summer's day; a bold venture by an innocent-yet-enterprising child; or perhaps we might even think of that famous saying (or cliche): "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." While I admit that this expression is all-too-often used to dismiss a person's pain and disadvantage in life, there is some wisdom to it. There is freedom in learning that whatever we face in life, even when so much seems completely out of our control, we do have a choice in how we respond to challenges. Admittedly, it isn't always easy to see all the options through the mists of pain or stress or grief, but that's where I come in! I hope you'll consider inviting me into your own journey so we can find a way towards flourishing together.

...and hey, got any grapes?