Your Socialist Dad won't last a day with Amway--forget that it's Amway, forget all the stuff about Ponzi Schemes, only think of this: if he and your mum are to succeed, they have to feel comfortable selling, and a big part of selling is being able to overcome constant rejection, and still look a person square in the eye and ask them to buy something from you for two or three times what they are paying for it--not many can do that, especially on a day-to-day basis--

Have a good heart to heart with them both--and talk about what they actually like to do, and stick with them til they find a way to do it--Most important--don't let them pay out from their savings for samples or demonstration kits, or for a shed full of biodegradeable soapflakes--