SAIGE!!!

Layla started saving her birthday money last August for a new American Girl Doll.  She wasn't sure which one she wanted next...until the 2013 doll was announced.  Saige loves horses and art...need I say more?  Since August Layla has had to say no to little toys here and there that she's wanted to buy.  She's saved many times for items over the years, but never something as expensive as an American Girl Doll.  She stayed focused in her saving for 8 months.  And finally, here is Saige.

We teach the Layla to split her money into spend, give, and save envelopes.  Layla also got to take her saved money to the bank and open her first savings account.  Seeing her envelope of saved money being counted out and deposited was so rewarding for her.  She looks forward to getting her bank statement every month.

It's hard for me, as a parent, to teach our kids delayed gratification.  Probably because I'm not good at it myself and because we don't live in a world that practices it.  Just because we can do or buy something for them doesn't always mean we should...something I'm continually working on in myself!