26/10/2025
These are ways I taught my daughters Delayed Gratification and Contentment
I remember one afternoon at the salon with my daughters.
They both had their storybooks in hand while I sat to make my hair. After some time, I ordered a drink for myself.
When it arrived, I began sipping quietly.
What caught the attention of the hairdresser wasn’t the hair style I asked her to do ,it was my daughters.
They didn’t look up. They didn’t stretch their hands. They didn’t even ask, “Mummy, can we have some?”
They simply continued reading their books as though nothing had happened.
The hairdresser looked surprised and asked, “They don’t want some?” I smiled and said, “They do. But they’ve learned not to feel entitled to what’s not theirs.”
You see, entitlement doesn’t just appear suddenly; it grows from habits we tolerate.
When children believe they must get everything you have simply because you’re their parent, it weakens their ability to wait, appreciate, and earn.
We have grown ups who have this kind of mentality of entitlement and it makes them become nuisance to the society.
I started teaching my daughters delayed gratification early.
Here are ways I taught them
1. I Don’t Give Everything Instantly
When my daughters ask for something, I don’t always say “yes” immediately.
Sometimes I tell them, “Not now, you’ll get it later.” This helps them learn that wanting something doesn’t mean getting it right away.
Waiting builds patience and appreciation.
2. I Teach Them to Wait Their Turn
Whether it’s talking during a conversation or taking snacks at home, they’ve learned to wait for others.
I always remind them, “It’s not your turn yet,wait patiently.” This simple practice has taught them self-control and respect for others.
3. I Let Them Earn Some Privileges
Instead of giving them everything freely, I assign small responsibilities like helping out in the kitchen or finishing their reading time before certain treats or screen time.
They’ve come to understand that effort comes before reward.
4. I Model Contentment
Children learn more from what we do than what we say. I often let them see me save, wait, or even deny myself something I want.
When they ask why, I explain, “We don’t always need everything at once. We can wait.”
5. I Praise Gratitude, Not Demands
Whenever they show gratitude instead of asking for more, I affirm it with words like, “I love how thankful you are.”
This reinforces the value of contentment and helps them find joy in what they already have.
Teaching delayed gratification isn’t about denying your children,it’s about preparing them for a life where they can handle “not yet” without feeling unloved or deprived.
Thanks Olayemi Emmanuel for this wonderful piece.
Stay loved❤️
