Sink and everything we need

*technical/non-techno-savvy issues, should have posted June 10th*

Jeff and I spent this morning installing a new kitchen sink. The old one was leaking and a trip to Home Depot and a small car payment later we had a new faucet.

Our purchase reminded me of something a teacher friend who had many more years of teaching experience than I had. He said many of our kids from poorer backgrounds have enough money for what they want, but not what they need. We needed a faucet; we wanted to go to the movies, buy new shoes, the list is endless. We chose to buy a faucet, but that is an oversimplification of a huge issue. We had the money for the faucet, but what if we had 20 bucks in the checking account? I think we’d find something to make us short-term happy, and forget (or try to) the leaky faucet which would eventually cause more extensive damage to our home.

Delayed gratification vs. short-term enjoyment, especially for poor students, is uber important. There are a lot research articles, academic and more time-lifeish that point out the conundrum with no ready fixes ahead. I think acknowledging the difficulty in making these choices is step 1. Right behind that is recognizing and applauding in ourselves and others that delaying gratification might mean driving around in an 8-year-old Kia minivan with a crunched bumper. Not winning any cool mom points, but happily payment-free!
So, happy to replace the faucet, drive the trusty Kia for a little longer,  and hopeful next weekend will include less home repairs and more fun. It is summer vacation after all!

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