I’m at Camping L’Ourthe in the Ardennes with my nieces Sam and Lou. The little table is set, the fairy lights are up, our beds are made, and the sun is shining. We are ready.

I give them each 10 euros to spend on whatever they want this weekend. I call out, “Are you sure?” as they sprint straight toward the gumball machine at the entrance to empty it.

A few minutes later, they return glowing with joy, hands full of plastic balls containing those slimy sticky figurines. You know the ones — you throw them against a wall and they “walk” down slowly.

Only… there aren’t many walls on this campsite. So the van becomes the victim. Wild enthusiasm.

Later that afternoon, I send them to the camping shop to buy a baguette. They come back wide-eyed.

Apparently, the shop sells inflatable crocodiles, swim rings, ice cream, games, candy…

“Can we get another ten euros? For the crocodile?”

I laugh. “No, ladies. I did say: look around first before you decide.”

They nod obediently.
“Yes, you’re right, Aunt Lara. We’ve learned from it… so can we have that ten euros now anyway?”

Not easy being an aunt, but I say no. Disappointment everywhere. Especially when the sticky figurines stop sticking the very same day. Ten euros gone.

Not that they can help it much.

Their prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for planning, reflection, and impulse control — isn’t fully developed yet.

10 euros + gumball machine = GO.

Only around the age of 25 does there theoretically become more space between trigger and action.

In theory.

In practice? One trigger and we’re right back at the gumball machine ourselves.

As long as you don’t examine and neutralize the trigger, you’ll keep spending energy — and ten-euro bills — on repetition. The universe can be ruthless like that.

And yet…

When Sam and Lou come over again and get to choose something in the supermarket, I only have to say “Crocodile.”

And at least once, they’ll walk the entire aisle before deciding. 🙂