Raising Two Marshmallow Kids

Do you remember hearing about the experiment in the late sixties involving children and marshmallows?

Quick summary: Children were given a marshmallow. If they could wait to eat the marshmallow until an adult returned, they were awarded an additional marshmallow.

Delayed gratification. Good idea, but how often do we really delay our wants?

Do you know the kids who ate the marshmallow quickly had more behavior problems than the children who waited?

And do you know the kids who held out as long as fifteen minutes before eating the marshmallow, scored an average of 200 points higher on their SAT?

Delayed gratification. Maybe in our world of instant everything we should consider forcing ourselves to slow down and wait.

This afternoon, we left the beeping and flashing and hurry-up-right-now-ness of life. We intentionally slowed down. We enjoyed the day, and we came up with reasons for you to delay some of the "important" things in life and do the same.

Slow down and notice the world reason #1, turtles. Catch a turtle. Name it Pepsi. Then, put it in a wagon and change it's name to Peppi because Pepsi is too hard to say.

Slow down and notice the world idea #2, sand. Create sand structures or just toss a bunch of sand on a bench and quickly pat it.

Slow down and notice the world idea #3, flowers. Collect petals and have a pretend wedding.

What about you? What are you doing to raise two marshmellow kids? What intentional activites are you participating in?