before their shopping trip yesterday, my mate and i discussed our son’s inevitable request for a new toy. i was emphatic that the singular focus and purchase be new pajamas.
but i know my partner and our son very well [that’s my sigh of exasperation you’re hearing] so was hardly surprised when K bounded up to me with his new mini-figure in hand. showing me the micro-catalog that came with the package, he excitedly pointed out the next collectible he wanted to get. 
i excused myself to go to the bathroom, so our conversation continued through the open door (’cause that’s how we do):
me: i really don’t think you need all that.
k: i know i don’t need them, mommy. but i like them, which makes me want to buy them.
my mouth fell open! did my on-the-brink-of-5 year-old child really just discern the difference between a want and a need?! And, on top of it, understand that it was his appreciation for the object that sparked his desire to buy it?!
i called K into the bathroom, saying i wanted to see his face. we high-fived, and i told him to kiss his brain (what we say whenever someone has a cool idea or solves a problem) because i liked the way he thought through the idea about shopping for new toys.
i can only hope that the seeds we plant and water in K about mindful consumption will bloom into skillful decision-making as he navigates the material world.
dhamma for mama* 