Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Gimmie Bug Intervention

Gabe has a bad case of the gimmie bug. You know, the give me, give me, I want, I want bug. John and I have been searching for a way to get Gabe to understand that he has SO MUCH when other people have so little. Yesterday a package came in the mail and it wasn't for Gabe, so Gabe flipped out! Can you say spoiled brat? I sure did. John and I really don't want to raise one of these. So we decided he needed a very VISUAL lesson about just how good his little 4 year old life is. Here's the pictures we used for our little family night intervention. Gabe had to compare each picture and then tell us which one was most like his life.

HOME?
FOOD?

TOYS?

SLEEP?
True the pictures are a bit extreme, but it was amazing how Gabe saw the contrast between his life and the life of those less fortunate than us! We also talked about what Christmas would be like for him and compared it to what Christmas would be like for some of the kids in the photos. It was amazing to see my little gimmie bug transform into someone wanting to do something for someone else! Gabe chose one of his toys to donate and got some money out of his piggy bank to help buy some more toys. We then went to the toy store and he helped us shop for toys for kids in need. Typically when we go to the toy store all I hear is the never ending I wants. However, last night he stayed focused and when the cashier asked Gabe if the toys were for him. Gabe proudly told her all about the kids that have no toys and how we were buying them toys so they would have a nice Christmas. What can I say? I was one proud mama!

9 comments:

Tyler & Nicole said...

That is so cute & fun for him. And most of all a great lesson!

Lindsi Jo said...

Absolutely LOVE that!!!!

Ashley said...

Way to be a good mamma! I love your idea and FHE lesson. Sounds like it really cured him! We will have to use that for our next FHE lesson!

Chelsey said...

Love it. I will need to go back a reread all your archieves when I have kids.. your supermom.

MrsKBJ said...

So sweet!! Great lesson!

Jclyde said...

All I can say is this is one proud Papa and Dad.

Luv DAD

Cheryl said...

You guys are awesome parents! As proud as you were of Gabe...we are equally proud of you! This is such a good example of the tremendous importance and value one can get from FHE. I kind of look at it like this...at this point in your family life, you are depositing lessons, values etc into a giant piggy bank ('cause they actually will listen to you at this age!) and then as they get older you are making withdrawals from that same bank...so keep on doing these great things to fill up the bank. We love you!

Ron and Rachelle said...

That is a really good idea! I think I am going to use those same pictures and talk to my kids about it. Thanks for the idea!

Who Do You Think You Are said...

Great parenting! We did something similar with our kids this year. We read a book called The Three Gifts and talked about how 3 gifts were good enough for Jesus and how Santa would only be bringing 3 things from now on. We talked about how none of them can remember what they even got last year. We decided to give to kids who don't have as much. The kids are really excited about it.
Andra