HOW WELL DOES YOUR CHILD DO WITH “WAIT”?

Nov 24 2023

Judith Osuoha School Admin
11365

In raising our children, are we intentional about unlocking the invaluable life skill of "delayed gratification"? Though it stems from the virtue of patience, history has shown that sometimes, it is easier to be patient than other times. One factor that consistently differentiates these two situations is the individual or child involved.

In our quick fix and “gimme-gimme” world, cultivating patience in our children is an essential aspect of their development as it involves resisting the urge for an immediate reward in favor of a more substantial, long-term gain. Here are some practical ways we can instill this skill in our children:

Lead by Example: Demonstrate delayed gratification through small and big actions; instead of eating what you crave immediately, show your child that you can wait to eat it another time. Save for a family vacation, celebration, party or completing a challenging project and let your child see your commitment to long-term goals.

Notice and Reward: Intentionally create a system that helps your child to know that you acknowledge efforts put into various tasks no matter how little and that you can reward such efforts. This acknowledgement could range from praises to gifts and even earning privileges. When your child knows that you notice the good changes they make in completing chores, homework, other responsibilities and even in behaviour, they will sustain it.

Provide Opportunities for Decision-Making: Allow your child to make gratifying decisions and experience the consequences of those decisions. You can emulate the "marshmallow test" to foster a sense of responsibility and help them understand the relationship between their actions and the outcomes.

Teaching our children the art of delayed gratification is a gift that we need to keep on giving. We should show them, notice them and provide opportunities for them to experience it so as to shape resilient, patient, and goal-oriented individuals who will navigate life's challenges with grace and determination.

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