In 1970 Walter Mischel created the Marshmallow experiment with a group of 4 year olds. The deal was if they sat for 15 minutes without eating the marshmallow placed in front of them, they would receive two marshmallows as a reward for waiting.

The kids did not know there were hidden cameras in the room.

Several kids ate their marshmallows instantly.

Some kids covered their eyes, were kicking and screaming and some even sat on their hands.

They would stare at the ceiling singing and would do anything possible to distract themselves from the soft little sweetness sitting in front of them.

One child went as far as to lick the marshmallow and put it back down.

Some kids were able to exercise self control and others were not.

But what I find so fascinating about this experiment is what they found out years later!

The kids who exercised self control did better on SAT’s went to better colleges and overall created more success in their lives.

The kids that ate their marshmallows right away were more likely to become bullies, had problems in school, more likely to do drugs and fall into debt later in life.

What this shows is how important self-control and delaying gratification is in life.

It comes easy for some and not so easy for others, but the wonderful thing is… we all have the ability to learn it.

A wonderful book called “Don’t eat the Marshmallow…Yet by Joachim de Posada, is a story based on this very experiment.

After reading the book, I asked my kids and my husband … what would you do if…

funny enough my two spenders of the family would eat their marshmallows instead of waiting and getting double the amount.

My daughter the saver was willing to wait!

Ironically your personality with money plays a role in delaying gratification. I know you will enjoy this short book. Call your local library and check it out.

We have a joke around the house… Are you eating your Marshmallows?

We have marshmallows placed in front of us daily, but the key is to ask yourself is this worth it now, or is there something I want more… if so… don’t eat the marshmallow just yet.