There comes a time in life
when it's time to grow up and put your big girl/boy pants on! There's a time to start taking care of your own needs and responsibilities. The world doesn't owe us anything! Neither does your parents or the government, after you are "of age". Somewhere along the line, society has failed their "children". We stopped raising them to be independent adults. We gave them too much. They didn't have to work or save for anything. They were raised with a "now" mentality. Buy now...pay later..or not! I see little kids walking around with Ipads, Iphones, wearing $100 shoes and gucci purses...or the latest trends when their parents are working two jobs and can barely pay the house note or rent. One young mom I know was telling me once she could not afford to take her sick son to the doctor, but the next week SHE was getting a boob-job! There's just something wrong with that way of thinking! For the most part, we have raised a "ME Generation". These are some of the most narcissistic human beings I have ever encountered. I wish I could say I was exempt from the list, but I am not. I believe this mentality started with my generation. It just escalates with each new generation.
We have buried ourselves in debt with "wants" rather than needs. Just for the sake of looking good, having the latest gadget, or being like everyone else!
There was a time when a coke and candy bar would be a "treat". Something you saved for and only got once in a blue moon....Now we think nothing of stopping at the quick mart and grabbing one on a daily basis. There was a time when you only had one pair of shoes for every day wear and a pair for church, and those were usually hand-me-downs, now we have as many as our closet will hold! There was a time when going out to eat was for a special occasion, now it's a special occasion if we eat at home!
There was a time when there was only one TV in the house and everyone sat in the family room to watch whatever their parents decided....now there's a TV in every room, complete with cable, DVR, game systems..and a computer or tablet, if you don't like what's on TV! Personally, I think we have done a disservice to our children and our children's children. This is a generalization and not meant to point fingers . If you raised your kids to be independent and responsible adults who don't suck the life out of you, I applaud you!
Today, I will think about every dime I spend and ask...is this a necessity? I will give my "grown" children liberty, when they "want" me to do what is their responsibility, I will tell them it's their responsibility and they should do it. After all, it is my responsibility to allow them to be responsible!