"Your children are getting so big...they have grown up so quickly!!" Isn't this a common statement that we've said to someone or had declared to us? Our children are naturally growing up before our eyes...getting bigger "because they have so many birthdays", as one of my children once stated. Time ticks on and life happens. Sometimes, I just want to put on the brakes and say, "Stop. Stop getting bigger. Stay my little girl for a while."
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| I guess we can't put them behind bars... |
But they don't want to stop. They want to be big. They want to do everything big brother or sister does. They watch Mom and Dad and want to be like them. Some examples:
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| Already a computer junkie? |
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| Crazy about the iPhone... |
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| Ready to "walk in Dad's shoes" - in more ways than one |
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| Ready to dunk (the orange cone?) at 13 months |
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| My new housekeeper... |
Where am I going with this? I think we can slow it down a bit by delaying some of the "privileges" (not rights) that children want, want, want...makeup, ears pierced, calling boys/girls on the phone, dating, driving, extracurricular activities, own cell phone, new gadgets, outings with friends, etc.
Don't we all seem to have the super size syndrome - you always want something bigger and better after obtaining the thing you just obtained? For example, you get your child a basic cell phone at age 12 for ease of communication, planning and logistics. Soon, the basic cell phone that he didn't have before, becomes obsolete and he NEEDS a texting phone. You upgrade to the texting phone and soon he NEEDS the iPhone. What will it be next? Another example: your daughter wants to get her ears pierced at age 8. Then, she wants to wear makeup at 11. Then, she wants to call boys at 12, etc, etc.
Delaying has a few advantages...your children seem to stay younger for longer. Also, delaying teaches waiting, which teaches patience. When your child has to wait for something, their appreciation for the item or circumstance, once obtained, is so much greater.
Our daughter just obtained her privilege of getting her ears pierced. She has waited a long time - until her 14th birthday. I think she is more appreciative and excited about it than she would have been at age 8. She has showed great patience, and I know she'll take care of her earrings and be more responsible than she would have at a younger age.
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| Getting her ears pierced with her cousin made it EXTRA special! |
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| Happy Birthday, Sweetie! (Can you tell purple is her favorite color?) |
Combat the fallacy of instant gratification with delayed appreciation, while keeping them younger a little bit longer!
More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!
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