KIDS’ PAGE

By Colleen McDonald      

Decision Making                                       February 11, 2004

One of my classes last Sunday talked about decision making.  When we have a hard decision to make, we need an imaginary crystal ball.  Looking into this crystal ball gives us different pictures of what might happen if we make certain choices.  These pictures of the future give us clues about what to decide. 

For example, perhaps it is a school night, and you have just eaten dinner.  It has been snowing for a little while, and the weather forecaster says there is more snow on the way.  You still have homework to do, but you don’t feel like doing it.  You’d rather play in the snow.  Besides, tomorrow might be a snow day. Will it be okay if you skip your homework?

You look in your crystal ball.  It is 9:00 the next morning, and you are still in your pajamas, eating pancakes.  The weather forecaster is predicting another foot of snow, and school has been canceled.  Hooray!

But then you look in your crystal ball again.  It is 8:00 the next morning, and you are riding the bus to school.  Most of the snow from the night before has melted.  You are scribbling down your spelling sentences, but your handwriting is so shaky in the moving bus that you wonder whether your teacher will be able to read it.

Well, you liked the first picture, but you didn’t like the second.  You’d better do your homework and skip playing in the snow.  But wait-- the crystal ball has another picture for you: You are outside, making a snow angel.  Then you hear your dad calling you: “Homework time!”  You go inside right away and get straight to work.  (In this picture of the future, you had some fun playing in the snow and you still had enough time to do your homework!)

Imagine yourself looking into that crystal ball one more time-- can you see another picture?  I can!  You have set your alarm to wake you up earlier than usual.  If you have to go to school the next morning, you will use the extra time to do your homework.  If you get a snow day, you will go back to sleep.

What other pictures do you see?  What will you decide?... And how can you use the crystal ball to help you with a decision you really need to make some time soon?

Love, Colleen