Save, Give, Spend

My parents had an idea to give the children some envelopes for Christmas two years ago with money inside them.   There were three envelopes, each with the same amount of money.   On the front of the envelopes was written (or brailled) that one was to save, one was to spend and one was to give away. 

The children both didn't want us to put their save money in their bank accounts because they wanted to keep the cash.   Over a year-and-a-half later, the envelopes still exist.   The spend one was easy and I believe my son's spend envelope is empty.    The Give envelope could go to anyone or anything the children wanted.   Could my daughter buy her best friend a toy with the money, she asked?  

Mimi had told her she could.   We planted the idea of doing something with that money to help someone in need instead of just presents for friends.    Both children liked that idea a lot and as such, held onto their envelopes until they had something worthy. 

When we recently went to Florida to spend time with my in-laws. I asked the children to pack their backpacks with things to play with or that they wanted to have with them on the trip.   As we were riding down, I noticed my daughter pull out her three envelopes from Mimi and Gramps and go through them again, making sure the money was still there. 

I don't know what she'll spend the money on or where she'll give the other money, but what I do know is my daughter won't have forgotten it's there.   Her memory works like that, rarely forgetting things. 

The Big Boy Update:  My son was invited three times to come out for s'mores tonight after it grew dark.  He was playing a video game and didn't want to disengage.   When he realized we were cleaning up, he got angry.   Next time maybe he'll be able to disengage when it's time to do something else. 

The Tiny Girl Chronicles:  My daughter has friends again.  There are some children we didn't see for a long time once COVID-19 got in full swing.  The fact that they can play outside together again is a very good thing.   My daughter loves having friends to play with.