Delayed Gratification….sucks.

Kids have a hard time with delayed gratification. It’s something that parents have to teach their children – how to wait. How to delay their personal gratification. There are many ramifications for children who don’t learn this “skill.” Can I call it a skill? I saw it (kids who didn’t understand the importance) all the time as a teacher and now as a mom.

But just now, in the bathroom, I was thinking about a book that I waited to get at the library. Instead of buying it at Borders (I was so tempted!) I instead went online to order it through inner library loan. Of course it took MONTHS to get but it finally arrived. I am still waiting for another popular book whose waiting list I am on – I think I have made it to the 400s now. Yes, over 400 people are ahead of me for the books. I think there is about 40 books in circulation. Instead of spending my money, I waited to get the book through the library. A very difficult thing for a book freak like me. So yea for me… unless you know how often I actually bought that book I wanted. I spent money not in the budget for that book I really wanted to read.

There are so many times I don’t delay my gratification – food, books, gossip, tv, sleep…. how different am I from my kids? I sure can hide it better. Well, almost better. It is hard to hide the extra tummy roll from the sweets. I have a harder time with delayed gratification than I thought. I was so proud of myself momentarily. Hmmm.

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