Lessons from a preschooler

The boys and I went to Target today, twice. We usually go at least once a week for something, and we always have the same routine. Walk in, get a snack, browse the cosmetics and kitchen areas, off to the toys, swing by the clothes, and end with the shoes. What can I say, we are creatures of habit. Today Braxton wanted every single toy he saw, which is also normal. He then told me, "Mom, I'm gonna ask Santa for these Legos for Christmas".Still...pretty routine. Then he saw the spiderman mask. He forgot about Santa. He forgot about the Legos. And he really thought I would cave and get him he mask. "Mean mom" you might say, but I say "no". I'm teaching him life long values about self control, money management, and budgeting. Braxton reluctantly put the mask back, and pouted until he saw the Imaginext dinosaur that he received for Christmas from Santa. So yes, I did good! Until I looked in our cart and noticed the tube off lipstick that I didn't need, because I have 10 others at home, the hair bands that will probably end up in my bathroom drawer, and the exercise video that I'll use for a few months until I'm bored. Hmmmm. Apparently I haven't taught myself the lessons that I'm trying to teach my son. :( I return the items to their proper place after prying Braxton from the toy section, and we both go home without junk. I know we made the right decision. Everybody needs self control and discipline in their lives. It is all about give and take, and I hope that my kiddos learn while they are young that we don't need lots of material things to make us happy, because we'll probably forget about them once out of sight...just like the spiderman mask!