After not getting his badge at a Camporee (that I didn’t sign us up to attend because of previous obligations), John Henry said, “I quit Cub Scouts.”
A lengthy conversation followed about commitment. I explained to him the importance of fulfilling commitments. He had committed his first grade year to Cub Scouts. He needed to finish it.
I can remember when I was in the fifth grade I wanted to play an instrument in band. That instrument? The saxophone. Yes, little ‘ol me on the sax. My parents paid a pretty penny for that instrument. In return, I had to commit to play through ninth grade. It was a breeze to maintain my commitment until ninth grade.
When it suddenly lost every bit of the cool factor.
But Barbara Goss wasn’t going to cave and bail me out. My momma wasn’t about to let me back out of my promise.
(Although, it probably would have made her life much easier as a parent.)
So, with great gnashing of teeth, I finished playing that durn thing through ninth grade.
And, while I was upset with my mother for making me finish at the time, I’m grateful for the value in her lesson.
Finish what you start.
As for John Henry, he did earn that badge. And, he couldn’t be prouder.
Are you instilling this virtue in your children?
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