MIRACLE MAKER PLANNER

From the time they’re in kindergarten all the way through adolescence, it seems like kids these days have everything they could ever want. Whether it’s the latest smartphones, Apple AirPods, or jackets with all the popular brand names… it must be a heavy burden for their parents. What’s more, some children don’t even appreciate their belongings because they know they can easily get replacements if their expensive items break or go missing. I remember having a classmate like that back in high school, so it’s not surprising to see this phenomenon now. But how can we possibly meet all the demands of these children?

“Please buy it for me! Buy it now!”

After I turned 23, I gave birth to my first child just two months later. When the baby was still in my womb, it all felt so unfamiliar and awkward that I couldn’t even bring myself to speak to the unborn child. But once I laid eyes on my baby, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of love. Although the newborn didn’t make any requests, I had so many things I wanted to buy and give to my little one.

As my child grew older, he developed preferences and desires for certain things. “I want a Thomas the Tank Engine… I want a train track…” The child would throw tantrums and cry. At just two years old, he would lie on the carpet of a toy store, kicking and screaming.

As he continued to grow, he found joy in playing with LEGO. With various series and new products being released each year, it fueled an insatiable desire to constantly buy new sets in my elementary school-aged child. It had an influence on me as well. LEGO wasn’t just entertaining and collectible; it also served as an educational tool, aiding in the development of fine motor skills and intelligence.

Fortunately, there were LEGO sets available for as little as $5 to $10, and my child was content with even the most affordable options. I would often reward him with such gifts when he completed a workbook. On birthdays or during Christmas, caring individuals in our circle or friends would also gift him some pretty decent LEGO sets.

The Bigger Problem

The issue began when my son entered middle school and developed a strong passion for airplanes. He became incredibly captivated by them, going to great lengths to learn the names and characteristics of different aircraft types, as well as which airlines operated them.

As time passed, my son expressed a desire to start collecting airplane models, similar to how he collected LEGO sets. However, the models we purchased for him were not simple painted pieces of metal; they came with a substantial price tag.

What’s more, unlike LEGO, these models couldn’t be disassembled into pieces and reassembled into new forms. They lacked the ability to be transformed into entirely different designs by combining various components. Once bought, they could only be displayed on a shelf for admiration or briefly held in hand to mimic the experience of flying. From my perspective, they were highly unproductive items that didn’t offer much beyond these limited activities.

We had a conversation with our son, who had received a few airplane models as gifts from our immediate family and grandparents, explaining that he wouldn’t receive any more airplane models as presents from extended family or relatives. Additionally, we made it clear that we wouldn’t allow him to spend his allowance on purchasing airplane models. Naturally, he was deeply disappointed.

The Solution Discovered by My Child

Seeking a resolution, my eldest child expressed a desire to print out blueprints of airplane models one day. With great enthusiasm, he requested precise cutting tools, a cutting board, and glue to facilitate his crafting aspirations. Driven by an unwavering determination to acquire the airplane model he yearned for, he took it upon himself to explore potential solutions.

Thankfully, the aviation enthusiasts’ community proved to be a haven of generosity. Among its members were individuals who graciously shared computer-generated blueprints for crafting paper airplane models. My child diligently scoured the internet, eventually stumbling upon a website where these benevolent creators congregated. With the great initiative, he personally reached out to the creators of his favorite airplane models’ blueprints and successfully obtained them.

The initial artworks created by my child, who didn’t seem to possess any artistic sensibilities, lacked finesse. The paper airplanes, adorned with haphazardly placed tape and resembling something one might expect from a younger elementary school student, appeared rather unpolished. However, I made a conscious effort to withhold any words that could potentially hurt my child, who was independently seeking ways to fulfill his own desires.

Nevertheless, I wasn’t particularly supportive of my son’s pursuits. I didn’t provide an ample supply of glue, and I grew weary of observing him spend his days seated at his desk, completely engrossed in constructing airplanes while airplane and train documentaries played in the background on YouTube.

The Outcome of My Child’s Self-Discovered Solution

Despite the lack of interest and cooperation from those around him, my child persevered and dedicatedly crafted paper airplane models. Over time, his creations evolved into remarkable airplanes that closely resembled their real-life counterparts, a journey that took one to two years and even beyond.

Even as a university student, my child continues to find joy in crafting paper airplane models. He proudly displays his meticulously crafted airplanes, suspending them from the living room ceiling using a fishing line. To my child, these airplanes hold immeasurable value, akin to precious treasures.

How can one compare the worth of store-bought model airplanes to the ones he painstakingly brings to life with his own hands?

The Growing Desires

However, as my child entered high school, his desires shifted toward more expensive pursuits. Following a mesmerizing experience capturing the starry night sky in photographs during a trip to Sedona, Arizona, my child expressed a longing for a camera. This wasn’t your typical camera for casual use; it demanded more. Given our modest income, where we barely managed to make ends meet each month, fulfilling his wish for an expensive hobby wasn’t within our immediate reach.

Proposing a Deal to My Child

Noticing my child’s daily immersion in YouTube videos about photography and his growing fascination with our household camera, I began to ponder. It dawned on me that I had set aside a modest sum of money intended as a gift for my mother. It occurred to me that this amount could be used to purchase a decent, pre-owned manual camera suitable for beginners.

I called my child and initiated a conversation, asking, “What are your aspirations in photography? If I were to buy you a camera, what would you do with it? Consider the projects or artwork you wish to create and how they could positively impact others. Write down your thoughts for me.”

Without delay, my child provided a written response. Encouraged by his enthusiasm, I proposed a mutually beneficial arrangement. “Originally, I intended to give this money to your grandmother, but because of your genuine passion for learning photography, I have decided to invest in your journey. However, it won’t come without effort. You will need to earn it. For every English lesson you teach me, I will provide you with an allowance. However, the money will need to be repaid in due course.”

My child eagerly embraced the proposal, and we proceeded with the agreed-upon terms. He diligently taught me English, earning the funds required to purchase the camera.

The Outcome of Our Discovered Solution

True to his word, my child dedicated himself to studying photography, and his ability to capture images improved each day. He skillfully documented joyful memories shared with friends and family through his photographs, infusing them with creativity and beauty. Some of these pictures found their way into frames, while others were lovingly compiled into albums as gifts for loved ones. He also took on the task of capturing school events and sports activities, sharing these moments with fellow students via Instagram.

He collaborated with the church and mission activities, seizing significant moments and crafting meaningful videos. Additionally, he volunteered at the public library, teaching introductory photography classes to individuals eager to learn. Over time, he expanded his skills to include video production, launching his own YouTube channel to showcase the photography techniques he had acquired.

By offering affordable graduation photo sessions to high school and college graduates, he not only gained valuable experience but also generated income. Presently, he is engaged in a work-study program at the university, where he works as a photographer while receiving a scholarship. In essence, he has successfully transformed his photography skills into a means of financial independence, earning his own allowance.

Transitioning from a Consumer Mindset to a Producer Mindset

As individuals, we derive pleasure and satisfaction from buying things. The act of consuming and possessing items brings us temporary joy. However, this happiness often fades quickly, leaving us feeling unsatisfied. Even the excitement of purchasing a new house diminishes after a few months.

Yet, something transformative occurs when we embark on the journey of creating things ourselves. When we develop an interest in a particular subject and dedicate ourselves to studying it, innovative ideas start to emerge. Through the process of using these ideas to bring something new into existence, we experience a unique kind of joy and exhilaration.

Ultimately, after investing our focus and passion into the creation, the outcome holds tremendous value and becomes cherished. A card personally drawn or handwritten by someone cannot be casually discarded. Each time we gaze upon that card, we rediscover their sincerity and love.

Similarly, rather than merely buying whatever children desire from stores or online platforms, encouraging them to design and craft those items themselves teaches them the significance of objects and cultivates gratitude.

If we empower children to view phones, computers, or drones not merely as toys, but as tools for learning, skill development, creative expression, and serving our communities and homes, they will not only appreciate the value of these items but also enhance their own self-worth. They will naturally discover that learning and meaningful work are pathways to uncovering their dreams and purpose in life.

Moreover, involving children in activities where they create things aligned with their interests provides an opportunity to learn about the production process of their favorite products, the involved steps, and how these products fulfill people’s needs.

Essentially, we instill in them a mindset of being a producer or creator. Through this process, children’s creativity flourishes. As we all recognize, creativity stands as one of the most crucial abilities that will enable our children to overcome the various challenges they will encounter in the age of AI.

Important Considerations and Their Reasons

There is a crucial point to consider, which is allowing children to choose what they want to create voluntarily. The earlier success example with our child started from his own curiosity and enjoyment. As a result, he developed a lasting passion for the endeavor and reaped the rewards of perseverance.

On the other hand, imposing cello lessons on our child resulted in resistance to practice, conflicts, and eventually quitting, which undermined his self-esteem. It’s important to let children pursue their own interests instead of imposing our desires on them.

During challenging times, even in the face of obstacles and detractors, children can persist and pursue their goals to the end. The experience of creating something they desire and accomplishing it instills in them the confidence of “I can do it.”

Moreover, it helps them develop the wisdom to make the most of the resources they have, even if those resources are limited. If they lack something essential for their goals, it encourages them to think creatively and find ways to acquire it, persevering until they achieve their desired outcome. In other words, it fosters resilience and unwavering determination.

Curiosity, enjoyment, creativity, a spirit of challenge, patience, passion, the experience of small accomplishments, resourcefulness, perseverance, unwavering determination, and high self-esteem are all common characteristics of successful individuals. This is precisely why we invest in sending children to academies, engaging them in sports, and providing learning materials.

Even if we are not financially well-off, we can still cultivate a mindset of success. In fact, by leveraging our limited financial resources wisely, we might even expect better results for our children than those who simply spend money on building their children’s resumes.

The Challenges We Faced

In the past, I often felt a constant financial strain. Whenever my children expressed a desire to buy something, engage in activities with friends, learn a new sport, or attend educational camps, I couldn’t provide the support they needed. My response was always, “We can’t afford it.” Although I genuinely wanted to encourage and support my children in their hobbies and extracurricular pursuits, I didn’t frequently contemplate how I could help them chase their dreams even in the absence of immediate funds. I had unwittingly developed a mindset that assumed if money was lacking, we simply had to give up. While I outwardly conveyed the idea that we couldn’t facilitate their talents and interests due to financial constraints, inwardly, it deeply saddened me.

The Impact of a Producer’s Mindset on College Admissions

However, a breakthrough came when my child embraced a producer’s mindset and began to achieve what he aspired to. Witnessing my child diligently capturing photos using vintage cameras and lenses, their photography teacher stepped in and generously gifted them film cameras and manual lenses that had been tucked away. Furthermore, the teacher guided him to have his photos exhibited and recognized at a prestigious photography competition held in Washington state. The accolades garnered from the competition served as a valuable extracurricular accomplishment for college admissions. Additionally, teaching beginner photography classes at the local library helped fulfill his required volunteer hours for college applications.

Through these experiences, my child learned that he could engage in creative pursuits utilizing the resources already possessed, even without financial abundance. He discovered that by seeking out ways to accomplish his dreams and maintaining perseverance, he could attain what he desired. He even incorporated these valuable lessons into this college admissions essay.

Had I not altered my mindset, words, and actions to embrace a more positive and constructive approach, and had I not guided my child differently than before, none of these remarkable opportunities would have materialized.

While it is true that gaining admission to a prestigious university often necessitates achieving commendable scores, it seems that what holds greater significance within universities is not solely the quality of a student’s education, the multitude of opportunities they have had, or even the exceptional nature of their test scores.

Instead, institutions prioritize understanding how students responded to the challenges they encountered, what lessons they gleaned from those experiences, and how they grew personally. Many esteemed universities value students who have developed strong character traits and problem-solving abilities through the adversities they faced. In essence, they seek to admit individuals who possess the qualities required in this era and the future—an era where these leaders will thrive in society, bring prestige to their alma mater, and continuously contribute financially to support the admission of promising future students.

Conclusion

Hence, if you or your family currently face difficulties, though the present circumstances may be arduous, I encourage you to reconsider your perspective. When you harness those challenges wisely, they can become stepping stones to guide your child towards success. In other words, the obstacles you currently confront have the potential to become valuable resources that propel your child’s achievements. So, stay resilient and contemplate how you can foster your child’s growth as a creative and productive individual. Take a moment now to jot down your ideas in a notebook.