De...lay...ed...Gratification!

Hi Moms and Mom-Types! This past week has been one of great milestones. We celebrated yet another birthday of my son AND he graduated from Kindergarten. Yes, I now have a first grader...or at least I will in a few months. This was the best week. What was even better was the lesson I learned for myself in the my son's actions.

For months now, he has been saying he wanted an iPad. I told him he could get an iPad if he saved for an iPad. Now, he knows what an iPad is because he's played on one before and loves it. He's excited with the games he's able to play right on his lap as opposed to my itty bitty iPhone screen or the heavy laptop he has to use on the desk. He had his plan set and was ready to save his money.

However, despite his deep desire and his ambition, he was just not reaching that $499 goal quick enough. The pennies he found around the house was not adding up enough. The money received after redeeming his recyclables did not excite him but rather discouraged him. It just wasn't added up fast enough to get his iPad.

But then his birthday rolled around and, lo and behold, he received $175 in cash and gift cards. Then 2 days later he received $40 more from Graduation gifts. This was one excited little boy. Well, you can only guess what his first statement was after counting the total: "Now I can get my iPad." Poor little boy. I had to tell him the crushing news.

"Sorry [Son], you just don't have enough quite yet." Saddest little face yet. But then I had an idea. I looked online to Toys R Us to see if they carried iPads and discovered they carried other comparable tablets. So, I decided to have a conversation with my son.

"[Son], I know you don't have enough money for the iPad but you do have enough to get another tablet made by another company. It's not an iPad but it's like an iPad. It can do what the iPad can do. If you really want the iPad you have to wait to save up more money. But if you want a tablet now, you have enough to get a different one." He pondered it for a quick bit and said enthusiastically, "I want to buy one now."

And that was that.

I didn't attempt to teach him the lesson about waiting for what you really want or waiting for what's better. I knew he wouldn't get it let alone care. But what I did was teach myself the lesson.

Instant gratification is such childlike behavior. Children only know the here and now and want what I want now. Waiting is sooooo not their M.O. and if they are asked to wait for anything, it's just plain torture. To be a mature person means we have the ability and know the value of waiting. We know that sometimes the work and pain of waiting will eventually lead us to pleasure of a "better brand."

Moms and Mom-Types, what do you need to continue being patient about/for? How have you delayed gratification?

Blessings,
Aurellia

2 More Days till the Anniversary of...

Moms and Mom-Types, there are 2 more days till the anniversary of the day my life changed FOREVER! It is the birthday of my son. He will turn 6 years old and I am amazed at how different life is now than it was 6 years ago. 6 years ago, I didn't get any sleep. 6 years later...well, I still don't get any sleep. Well, 6 years ago, I found myself giving more than receiving. 6 years ago, I was wiping his bottom to make sure all the poop was gone. Hmm...today, I was summoned to the bathroom to wipe his bottom. Today, well, nope, that hasn't change. It kinda is all about him. Well, I guess 6 years ago I was more in awe at the miracle of life. Actually, today I was just thinking about what a wonderful miracle of life is he. I guess my life isn't that much different after all.

But I am really excited. Today I have been thinking about parenting and how tough it is to be a parent when you have a particular way in which you'd like to rear your child. I have certain standards and values I am attempting to instill in my child. However, I don't feel like these values and standards aren't widely accepted by the world around us. In a world where we are encouraged to live with an "anything goes" mindset, I get uncomfortable when I have a "that's not acceptable" attitude. I teach my son certain ways of living and being in the world consistent to our Religion and faith practice. In America, that's taboo. I hear of a time when the way our world lives was taboo. I think about how to teach my child to ways of knowing life through a particular lens while at the same time understanding that not everyone will know life the same.

6 years ago today I was imagining who I had in my belly and who would he be in the world. I guess 6 years later I am still imagining the same thing.

Moms and Mom-types, our role is never completely finished but one things for sure...every anniversary or birthday as we call them will always remind us of the role we began.

Blessings,
Aurellia

How Fit Are You?

Hi Moms and Mom-Types!

This has been an eventful week. From Sunday Church Service to adjusting our minds and bodies to returning to school after Easter Break, there's been so much going on. I wonder how my body does it. Truth is, it doesn't. My body is running on fumes. I just am not as fit as I need to be. I don't take in enough calories. I don't get enough sleep. How fit are you?

Do you know that the caffeine you drink really isn't good enough as an energy provider? Do you know those few hours of sleep really are NOT enough? I understand you want to complete your task list before your head hits the pillow, but your sleep is more important.

Being the great mom you are requires you to be physically fit. Eat a balanced diet-high in protein to give you the energy you need. Drink lots of water-you lose more water than you think. Sleep the recommended hours of uninterrupted, comfortable sleep.

Let's take our lives to the next level of physical fitness! We are worth it.

Blessings,
Aurellia

A New Year, A New Mom

Happy New Year Moms and Mom-Types!

This has been an A-mazing start of a new calendar year. Yesterday my Lil big boy and I attended a family flag football game. It was awesome to be amongst loved ones at the start of the new year. For my Lil big boy, he had a blast...once they let him play. See, he is a Kinder and the men said he was just a tad bit too young for the game. You think? But he had a great time with all the other kids and yes, he did make a touchdown run. It was awesome!

As I watched him out there with the other kids and the guys playing football, it made me realize how much he needs in his life. Yes, he has me and is blessed with so much but there is so much that he doesn't have in his life that I can actually provide him with.

Mom's as we begin with the New Year, let's resolve to be better mom's and go to the Next Level of Loving our children. The past is the past and the present is here encouraging us to aim higher and go to the Next Level!

Blessings,

Aurellia