The Power of Choices

It’s Sunday, and my dad (Jasson’s grandpa) offered to pay him to do some work in the front yard. Jasson came to me, a bit torn, saying, “Mom, I really want to make money, but my friends and I planned on exploring some tunnels today, and I don’t know what to do! I really want to hang out with my friends.”

In moments like this, I don’t like to dictate what Jasson should do. I believe these are the kinds of decisions he needs to make for himself. Life is filled with choices, and learning to balance priorities is an essential skill. But as his mom, I take the opportunity to guide him—helping him see the value in striking a balance. I explained how he could work for a little while, earn some money, and then still go explore with his friends.

I also reminded him that if he chose to go out with his friends, the work wouldn’t wait. My dad would likely find someone else to do it, and with that, the opportunity to make money would be gone. It’s an important lesson: the choices we make can mean missing out on other opportunities that won’t always be available later.

One of the core principles I want Jasson to understand is the importance of investing in himself and choosing delayed gratification over instant satisfaction. Sure, going out right away with his friends sounds fun, but taking time to earn money now could open doors for future opportunities—whether that’s having money to buy something he really wants or simply feeling proud of his hard work.

These small moments—like deciding between work and play—are just stepping stones to the bigger life decisions Jasson will face as he grows up. The more he understands the value of weighing options and seeing the long-term effects of his choices, the better prepared he’ll be for life’s challenges.

I give Jasson a lot of freedom to make these decisions. I know that these early choices will shape how he approaches bigger life decisions down the road. The lessons he’s learning now—about responsibility, work ethic, and self-discipline—are ones my dad instilled in me. His guidance molded me into the person I am today, someone who understands that nothing in life is handed to you for free.

As a parent, it’s tempting to want to step in and push them in the “right” direction, but I’ve learned that allowing Jasson to make his own choices—even when he might miss out on an opportunity—gives him the confidence to learn and grow. It’s not easy, but these moments teach both of us something valuable.

We often hear about the value of hard work, but as parents, it’s our job to show our kids the meaning behind those words. It’s not just about getting paid for yard work. It’s about understanding that when you push through what you don’t want to do, you set yourself up for more freedom and opportunities in the future. And maybe one day, Jasson will look back and realize that these small choices were the building blocks for a stronger future.

How do you approach these kinds of situations with your kids? Do you guide them, let them figure it out, or find a balance between the two? Every child and parent is different, but these moments are a chance for growth—for them and for us.