New Toy

My four year old realized that she does not have a real sized Jessie Cowgirl doll. Jessie is from Toy Story, the second and third installments. She has a small Jessie figurine but, a classmate at preschool has the doll just like in the movie. Now, my daughter does not ask for new toys often. In fact this is the first time that she has done it.

Since she has turned four, she has become responisble for making her bed, putting her clothes in the laundry and putting her shoes away. So, a friend of mine said I should buy her the doll as a reward. Yes, you guessed it, I am now going to detail why that will not be happening.

We do have gift occasions at my home. Christmas, birthdays, sometimes the lesser holidays. But, most of the Christmas and birthday gifts are put away after they are opened. We then pull them out one by one over the next few months. Each toy gets appreciated like that. And, I don't get overwhelmed by all the new toys. We talk about who gave us a gift and how nice it was of them to get the gift. We talk about how their parents had to work to get the money to buy that present.

My daughter knows that some moms don't go to work in the morning. They work by staying home with their children all day. But, that is a special treat for their families so, they can't do some other things like go to the coffee shop or buy new dresses. I really want her to see that balance and to understand sacrifice.

I will not be surprising her with a Jessie doll out of the blue to look like the good guy. She will have to wait for Christmas. And, as for the reward for her "chores", she was given responsibilities because she is a member of our household and old enough to do those tasks. She will learn that our home is a place we all live and all need to take care of, just like mother earth. We don't get rewarded for doing what we are supposed to do. But, having a nice place where she can find her toys and her shoes is a reward in itself.

Delayed gratification is a huge concept for a four year old but, a much needed one.