well samuel is slightly obsessed with toy story these days. he got woody for christmas and shortly after decided he wanted buzz lightyear. i explained to him that it was just christmas and he didn't need anything more. but like any normal 3 year old, he couldn't let it go. so we decided a "chore/ good behavior" chart was the perfect way to allow him to earn his buzz.
samuel really got into filling his chart....he did chores like feed the dogs and let them inside and out, clean his room, get things for mamma and help with dinner. it also worked as a great disciplining technique...when his behavior was questionable....he would be reminded that a sticker could and would be taken off if he didn't make good choices.
in the end he acheived his goal....filled up his chart and got buzz light-year! he LOVES buzz!
sometimes i think it's hard as a parent to have delayed gratification for/ with your kids...i want him to have what he wants and give him things because i get so much joy out of seeing him excited. but i know it's important for his little, molding character to not get everything he wants when he wants it. i also want him to get a sense of "working" for something. our prayer is that he will find happiness in other more eternal things like being kind, helping others and loving god. i think this is a daily journey for me, too.
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