We live in an instant world filled with instant rewards. When we have a question, we go to the internet. No more waiting until the library opens so we can look up information or use a set of encyclopedias. Food is fast. No more home cooked meals. We make phone calls at our first impulse and we rarely wait on line. No more waiting till we get home to call a friend about an unusual event. Frankly, I can’t remember a time that I didn’t think that ordering anything or everything on line was not a viable alternative to going into a store. Instant gratification is the name of the game.
Has the ability to command items at our will affected our ability to postpone gratification? Have we lost our ability to wait or deny ourselves and our children anything our hearts desire? Could the current economic status of our country be a symptom of the “Instant Generation”?
No matter who wins the election on Tuesday, we will demand an instant fix to the economic state we’re in. It took years of bad habits to bring the world’s economy to its knees. It isn’t likely that it will be repaired quickly. Perhaps as we begin to make our own necessary changes, we can help teach our children not to make the same mistakes.
Besides teaching our children self control, we must teach them to delay gratification. Even if we can afford to fulfill all of their desires, is it in their best interest to do so? The advertisers would will us to do so, indicating that we are not good providers, if we do not give our children the latest “hot product”. Our children play with the item for a few weeks and then they are on to the next “hot item”. Each time we fulfill their wish, their enjoyment with the item lasts for shorter and shorter periods, thus shortening their attention span. One of the most important indicators of a child’s academic success is the ability to tend to the task at hand until it is completed. Sometimes this can be a significant amount of time.
So how do we help our children learn to delay gratification? First we must start at the beginning. It is OK to want things, but they must also learn that they may not get it, or they will have to wait until they have earned the item. It is important to teach our children that they may have to wait until their family can afford it (put away the credit cards). Discussing basic family economics is important. (use your discretion!) Learning how to balance our desires with basic economics is essential to a successful life!
Peace & Light,
Grace
Written by Grace Geller
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