When We Can't Wait

Today I had the pleasure of being the mystery reader for my daughter's class. One of the books I chose offers a valuable lesson for kids as well as their parents. The book is Can't Wait Willow! by Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar. In the story, Willow has been looking forward to the circus for a while. The day finally comes, but along the way Willow gets distracted by many flashy and tempting things. She ultimately learns a lesson that my family has been learning the last few years; sometimes to get the big thing you long for, you sometimes have to forgo the smaller good things that come along.

It's hard to keep your eye on the prize in this fast serve world. It's hard to learn to be measured with your resources and live within your means when our own government can't agree on, or stick to, a budget. Can't Wait Willow teaches this important lesson in an engaging and relatable way. The illustrations are colorful and tempting - I could taste the cotton candy! 

Teaching Discipline
Teaching kids to sacrifice now for something greater later is an important lesson. It is one that will largely be caught more than taught. It will be learned in the little things. Share the thought process behind decisions you are making to illustrate to your kids how saying no to good things now, helps you to experience greater things later. Then given them tools to help make patient and wise decisions.

One tool I use to teach this concept is to take photos of things they see that they want now (thereby putting it on a visual wish list) and remind them of what we are working for. I tell them the item can go on the wish list and we won't forget cause we took a photo. What are some of your tools?

Can't Wait Willow! is part of a series of books by Shine Bright Kids teaching principles including: using good judgment, taking responsibility, self-control, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.  Check out their website atwww.ShineBrightKids.com for free reward charts, activities and other parenting resources.

Find Can't-Wait Willow! at Barnes & Noble and other fine retailers, as well as http://www.idealsbooks.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-wait-willow-christy-ziglar/1113298086?ean=9780824956486

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Disclosure of material connection: I received one ore more of the products mentioned above for free in the hope that I would give it my fair review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."