Today, while Eva was at preschool, Mae and I hit up 5 stores together. (I realized that's way too much to do when you're 7 months pregnant but we got a lot done.) Mae was a sweet and good companion but I found myself constantly saying no to her. No to each treat she saw. No to each toy. And I got so frustrated that there is so much JUNK in the world that turns me into a no-saying mom all the time. If we were surrounded by good choices I could be saying yes so much more. But as it is, the stores are full of things our bodies, minds and spirits don't need. And I have to say no a lot.
While I am indeed grateful for agency, sometimes I wish, when it came to trivial things, that we didn't have so many choices. I always want to feel like I'm getting the best deal or the best value and sometimes it becomes paralyzing. We have so many options! For food, for clothes, for entertainment. It makes it hard to just be happy with what you have because you find yourself wondering if you have what's best for your money. When we bought a bigger car recently I took a little time to decide on one make and model I wanted and I told myself I would just be happy with it no matter what. I didn't want to test a billion different types. I wanted to find something useful and reliable (and affordable) and be grateful for what I had. And so far it has been great.
I don't know if those two paragraphs exactly related to each other but that's what was on my mind tonight. I'm wondering if anyone feels the same way.
5 comments:
I feel the same way, Kelly. I have really enjoyed reading The Entitlement Trap by Richard and Linda Eyre. It has opened my eyes to all the many times I said YES and spoiled my kids the last several years. I'm basically encouraging them to feel entitled, just like most parents in our country are guity of.
I admire your attitude to just be happy with your car decision and not keep wishing and waiting for a different or better option. Good for you, my friend!
I'm reading "Approaching Zion" for the many-th time and Bro. Nibley has a lot to say about all this. I also just read our book club book, "The Giver", which among other things has the theme of what the world would be like without choice. Stay focused, my girl, we are living in Babylon right here in Zion.
I totally get what you are saying. I am always the "mean mom". But oh well...
Hey Kel
Totally agree with your message. There's way too much junk in the world. I have some questions to ask you so will you email me your email address? angeleebailey@yahoo.com
Thanks Kelly! Miss ya tons!
I got tired of saying no, but then we implemented chores that can earn you money. Above and beyond regular chores. So when we see something I say, "How exciting! When you earn enough money you can by it!" If they remember it they work hard to buy it, if not, they don't give it another thought. It's worked so far.
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