Delaying Gratification

Delaying gratification is a process of scheduling the pain and pleasure of life in such a way as to enhance the pleasure by meeting and experiencing the pain first and getting it over with.

For children to develop the capacity to delay gratification, it is necessary for them to have self-disciplined role models (parents), a sense of self-worth (I am a valuable person) and a degree of trust in safety of their existence (parents won’t leave you behind).

Notes from “The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck, M.D.