The Marshmellow Experiment

Dad brought home vegan marshmellows for toasting on a fire.
Mom had an experiment in mind!

A totally amazing (amusing!) experiment!
I was reading a parenting article and came across the idea; how to test whether or not your child is able to delay gratification and what that implies for their future.
For a good laugh, watch this video!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX_oy9614HQ
I set up the kids to see how they would fare.

"Until I return, you need to stay seated. 

In front of you is your marshmellow. 

You are welcome to eat it now, however if you wait until I come back, I will give you two in total."

Then I explained that I was going in the kitchen to set up for the mornings engineering activity (which was totally the truth! It bought me some serious time!)
The instant I turned my back, the conversation began....

Miss C: "Are you going to eat yours Milo?"

Mr. M: "I like them, but I'm not going to eat it."

Miss C: "It's tempting, right!?"

{singing ensued}

Mr. M: "I'm not going to eat them."

Miss C: "Are you tempted?"

Mr.M: "No, I'm not temmped."

{math began} 

Miss O: "If none of us eat them, we'll have six in total."

{debate began about how many they could eat, 

if they had unlimited number}

At this point, I returned to take a photo...

Me: "I'm just returning for a photo."

Miss C: "See, we haven't eaten them."

Me: "You can."

Miss C: "We won't!"

{I exit}

Miss C: "She is trying to tempt us!"

Mr.M : "It's pretty good. I licked it!

MOM! CAN I LICK IT?

Me: No.

Mr. M: "I DIDN'T. ONLY PRETEND."

 

Around the corner I was giggling away and decided to finally let them have their long-awaited reward.

More debating occured about who would eat one, or both and which would be saved for later.

They all rewarded themselves with one, except Mr. M ate both as fast as possible!

Miss O: "Wait a minute. 

Does our activity also involve marshmellows?

Me: "Yes. Will that help you decide if you're going to eat both now?

Miss O: "For sure!" 

{popped the second in her mouth!}

The eldest are incredible at saving their treats. I wasn't shocked at their ability to wait. 

However, the fact that the youngest waited, floored me!

When they did arrive, he did not deny himself a second more. When those were done, he worked his sisters trying to figure out how to get theirs!