spoiled

[nicndetsmom]

So I've been thinking about what our children are learning from us. Growing up, we did not have as much as others I knew. I felt that I was missing out on something. Now I look back and think about the life that I had growing up and I ask myself, "Okay what didn't you have that you even miss today?" Well, obviously the New Kids On The Block concert tickets were not that important..lol. That leads me to start thinking about what I did have. Let's see.. I had parents who loved me and my sisters. These same parents taught us that just because a person isn't blood related, that doesn't mean that they aren't family. The more the merrier was the family motto.  I also gained appreciation for what I did have. I actually just got rid of Barbie dolls that my daughter was done with. I had those dolls in 1985! They were ready for retirement . The point is that I knew that money didn't grow on trees and I needed to take care of what I did have.

So now when I look at kids today with their cell phones and their $100 shoes, I wonder what are they learning? I know that cells are used to keep in touch. I do not dispute that. I saw on Oprah last week a mother who bought her daughter thousands of dollars worth of Barbies and American Girl dolls. My little girl has been wanting one for a couple years and I can't afford the doll and all the accessories. That is our problem and it's okay to buy kids things but everything in moderation. Look at that MTV show My sweet 16 or whatever it is. These young girls are living life without limits. It seems like young people these days feel entitled to have whatever they want whenever they want. So when someone asks me "Don't you want to give your kids what you never had?" I will answer them..no not really..I would rather give them what I did have.. Rules..Family..Love..Friendship..Appreciation for everyone and everything they have in their lives.

This post is long and crazy and I am positive someone will be mad and I can't stop that nor am I trying to appease everyone. I just wanted to speak my mind. That is what this place is here for right?

[jlknudsen5478]

Jan. 16, 2007 at 9:54 AM Well, someone might get mad, but it's not me!  I look around today and think, Did a lot of these parents just never really grow up?  I remember being a kid and thinking, I will let my kid do this, or won't make my kid do that, but those were the feelings of a KID!  Not an adult, and now I realize WHY my parents did or didn't allow or give me certain things.  But it seems that so many parents today are still remembering the time Mommy said "no, you can't have that" and think they are doing a good thing by giving in to their child's every wish.  Yet they wonder why their kids don't listen to them or respect them.  DUH!  Setting boundaries and disciplining your child shows them that you CARE!  If you give in to whatever they want, they think "My parents don't care what I do, so I'll make them spend money on me to make up for not loving me"  And yes, they do think that way!  So give your kids what REALLY counts, love them, teach them, don't take out a second mortgage to buy that car they want, trust me!

[2boysmom]

Jan. 16, 2007 at 11:25 AM I couldnt agree more. even if I could afford everything and anything, I dont think my kids would have / get them. And for those that do get upset, then they need to learn a thing or two. Good Job expressing!!!

[scrapperjen1]

Jan. 17, 2007 at 1:05 PM I think you said it perfectly!

[nicndetsmom]

Jan. 17, 2007 at 8:44 PM Thanks to all of you. This is something that worries me about the world today and tomorrow. If these kids are going to run our future world, will they know when to say when or is this world going to keep barreling down the materialistic tubes we have already put ourselves into?

(Original Poster)