Don’t get me wrong. I truly love kids. It’s what’s being done to them that drives me crazy. I know Mrs. Feel Good is not supposed to go crazy but I have to vent and I have a feeling many of you may feel the same way.
What has happened to the kids of today. They are spoiled, entitled, complaining brats. Now there are exceptions and plenty of them but they are lost in the masses of the obnoxious ones.
Why do kids have to have everything? And why do we as parents give it to them? Do they need every new electronic device as soon as it is on the market. Designer clothes, please, what’s wrong with Wal Mart, K Mart and Target? And my pet peeve, a new car when they turn sixteen as if they have done something to earn it.Going to school, getting good grades, prepping for college, doing chores and not doing drugs or drinking are not reasons for rewarding our children with expensive gifts they have not earned. What do I mean when I say earned? I mean work, as in a job. If we keep rewarding them for being good kids with extravagant toys what kind of value system will they have? I’ll tell you! They will think everything in life comes easy . They will expect more and more from their parents. It doesn’t matter the income of the parents because the higher the income the more expensive the rewards until even those parents are in debt trying to keep them happy. And they will complain when they don’t get what they want and really badly when their friends do.
Our society is creating spoiled brats. Why is this happening, that’s my question? Parents can say no. They forget they are the parents and not their kids friends. They don’t want them to do without. Without what? A bunch of materialistic crap that does nothing to shape them into independent, secure adults. Stop it parents give them what they really need, the necessities of life. Teach them that their good works are for the benefit of the whole family and they are doing them because they love you. Spend time with them showing them by example what life is really all about and how to make the world a better place. Tell them about the poor, sick and unfortunate and ask them how they think they can help. There is so much we can do for our kids that doesn’t involve ridiculous, out of control spending that measures their self esteem by the clothes on their backs. The child that is raised this way will turn into a valuable member of society with values he can take with him for his own family. And guess what? I have no doubt the BMW will come for him if that’s what he wants, and he will have the pleasure of buying it for himself with the money he has earned at his own job. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Opinions welcome. What do you think?
December 25th, 2009 at 2:48 am
I just want to say I happen to agree whole heartdly with you. While two of my children do have cell phones it was out of necessity that they have them because at one time I was working days and my kids were walking home alone in the afternoon. We had some scares with men trying to grab kids in my area so they would call me on the way home from school. Having said that though my kids know that they have to work hard even with having the cell phones. It is a requirement in my mind. Now lets to to the flip side of my husband with his son….this is and has been the BIG debate….like verge of divorcee debate……my stepson has been flunking school since the 5th grade and he is in the 8th grade now. Yes I said it “Thanks George Bush and the no child left behind act”. FLUNKING!!!! Now my husband decides along with my father behind my back to buy these perverbile carrot drums that my stepson says he just wants. He has had them dangled in front of him since the 5th grade and has done NOTHING to earn them at all. I am upset because we are not teaching him the same values that my other two are learning and have learned. What kind of message do you think that sends not only to the kid getting the drums but the two who work hard???? I don’t know what is wrong with my husband. He works in a public job dealing with kids like his son everyday….he comes home and jokes about the parents and their rose colored glasses…BUT his are just as big. At what point do you say to a kid who is 14 by the way….”ok…your chance to be given the drums has was since passed…if you want them you will have to get a part time job when you are old enough and by them yourself.” What is wrong with that?? My husband thinks it is wrong to deny him his dream. I am so confused because I read your article and totally agree and understand it. My husband even turned my father against me…I think that the man forgot he raised me and raised me with a very good work ethic. I am very confused and on the verge of a break down in arizona….HELP!!!!!