A powerful social media post is challenging conventional ideas about where and how children learn crucial life skills. The video, shared by an Instagram user, shows a young boy stepping out of his comfort zone to sell a popular Indian snack, sparking a widespread conversation about parenting, entrepreneurship, and overcoming mental barriers.
The Viral Moment That Started It All
Instagram user Cheene Mehta shared a video that has captured the hearts and minds of netizens. The clip features her son standing on a street, holding a packet of chikki (a traditional peanut and jaggery snack). He is not just selling the treat; his innovative offer reads, "1 chikki for 10 rs and I’ll click your picture here for free." This unique combination of selling a product and offering a photography service showcases early business acumen.
In her heartfelt caption, Mehta revealed her own internal struggle, stating the embarrassment she felt was greater than what she experienced meeting her in-laws after marriage. "Jitni sharam mujhe pehli baar shadi karke apne in-laws ke pass jaane me nahi aai thi utni aaj aayi hai issko yaha leke aane me," she confessed. However, her son's success on his very first day—selling two chikkis—proved the effort was worthwhile. She identified the core issue: "It’s the mental barrier that doesn’t only stop us but also the kids."
A Flood of Support and Shared Stories
The post resonated deeply, triggering an avalanche of supportive comments and personal anecdotes from other social media users who praised the mother-son duo's initiative.
One user shared a poignant story from their own childhood: "I grew up in a remote village of the Western Ghats…. We used to sell home-grown veggies and spices on the highway nearby our school." This early experience laid the foundation for future entrepreneurship, as the user later started an idli-vada stall with a modest investment, which eventually grew into a rented shop with staff.
Another parent recounted their daughter's attempt to sell handmade rubber band bracelets. When the bracelets didn't sell, the child learned a valuable lesson in financial literacy. "Now she says that mommy earning money is hard … I will spend money wisely," the user wrote, emphasizing that the goal is the lesson, not the income.
The Bigger Picture: Parenting Beyond Classroom Walls
The discussion moved beyond a single viral video to address a broader parenting philosophy. One commenter applauded parents who take active responsibility for teaching life skills, rather than viewing school as a mere repository for a child's time. "I love it when parents are actually thinking for kids not as a burden but as a responsibility to teach everything by themselves," the user noted, criticizing the mindset of using school just for "peace."
The incident underscores a vital truth often missed in modern education: a child's learning journey begins at home, long before formal schooling. While parents desire their children to learn business skills and life lessons, these are frequently seen as separate from academic pursuits. This viral story demonstrates that practical, hands-on experiences—like selling on the street—can impart resilience, communication, and financial understanding in ways a classroom sometimes cannot.
The overwhelming response to Cheene Mehta's post confirms a growing appetite for rethinking education. It champions the idea that overcoming our own mental barriers as parents is the first step in unlocking our children's potential to learn, adapt, and thrive in the real world.
