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MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 33

MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 33

May 12, 2003
Document
Topic: 
MAXIMize the Moment Junior
Ethical Value: 
Money
Ethical Value: 
Responsibility
Ethical Value: 
Excellence
Age Range: 
8-10

Story

"Daddy, please!" I beg, hoping he'll get me the t-shirt that I just fell in love with. He never used to say "no," but, last week, my parents and I had a big talk about money and being responsible. "Daddy, can't you bend the rules-just this once?"

"Chelsea, it's for your own good," he says. "Remember that 'Good things come to those who wait.' If you really want that shirt, you can earn the money. If you save up for a few weeks, you'll be able to pay it."

"But, Dad, I want to wear it now."

"Chelsea, if you really like it, you'll save up the money. If it's not worth waiting for, it may not be worth spending the money on. That's just a decision you'll have to make."

Two weeks later, my mom and I go back to the store. It turns out that the shirt I want is on sale, so I can buy it sooner than I'd planned. It took patience and work, but I earned this shirt and that feels great. I guess my parents were right: "Good things come to those who wait." Waiting wasn't always easy, but it did give me something to look forward to. Also, I'm proud of myself for saving up the money and for being so patient.

This week's maxim is "Good things come to those who wait."

Maxim

  • "Good things come to those who wait."
    Unknown

Character points

  • Patience - I am willing to pace myself; I have enough perspective to look at the long term, rather than the short run.
  • Self-discipline - I am in control of myself and makes choices that go along with my goals.
  • Self-control - I have the strength to make good choices-even if they seems less fun; I recognize that doing what is right is more important than doing what feels good right now.
  • Determination - I am willing to work, to try, to fail, and to keep trying to achieve my goals.
  • Responsibility - I know what I should do and I act upon that knowledge.

Homeroom Discussion Information

  • Do you agree with this week's maxim? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever had to wait for something that you wanted? What was that like? Did you enjoy it more because you'd had to wait for it?
  • What kinds of things do you have to wait for?
  • Is there anything that helps you have patience and makes it easier to wait?
  • Chelsea's parents expect her to help pay for some clothes. Why do you think that they are asking her to do that?
  • Chelsea's dad tells her that, if she really wants the shirt, she'll have the patience to wait and will make an effort to earn the money. Do you think it's true that having to wait for something helps you realize how much you value that thing?
  • Have you ever wanted something, but, once you found out you had to wait for it, realized that it wasn't all that important to you?
  • At the end of the story, Chelsea feels good about herself and is happy to have the shirt. Do you think she'd have enjoyed the shirt as much if she'd gotten in right away, when she first asked her dad?

Home-Use Information

Five tips for maxim-izing your family time

  • Take advantage of this opportunity to talk with your children about money and what it means to be fiscally responsible. Check on the tips in the "Related Links" websites and work through them with your children.
  • Remind your children that you have to wait for things, too. Tell the story of a time that you waited and how good you felt as a result.
  • Keep in mind that you are your child's most important role model. Be a great example and show them the importance and value of being patient.
  • Use this time as an opportunity to talk about the things that are really valuable in life. Discuss what's good about money and material possessions and what's not as good-how they can end up seeming more important than they really are.
  • As a family, create a list of fun activities you can do that don't involve spending money. Decide on a time to take advantage of those free opportunities. After you've done so, discuss the "wealth" of that day and how the best, richest things in life don't come with a price tag. Try to brainstorm together some practical ways to avoid negative pressure and ways to be a positive influence.

Discussion starters

  • Chelsea thinks that she needs to have the shirt right away. Does she really need it?
  • What's the difference between needing something and wanting something?
  • Why is it important to be able to recognize which things we need and which things we just want?
  • Chelsea's dad tells her that he's saying no, but that it's for her own good. What do you think he means?
  • Do you think that it's easy for us, your parents, to say "no" when you ask us to buy you things?
  • Why do you think we say "no" even though it may make you upset with us?
  • Would it be a good idea for us to always give you everything you wanted? Why might always getting your way be a bad thing?
  • They say that money can't buy happiness. Do you think that's true? Explain.
    What non-material things bring joy to your life?

Be sure to acknowledge the courage your children show in talking with you about these issues.

Related Links