Do you remember the days when a Trapper Keeper was a luxury item?
…when beepers were reserved for drug dealers and doctors?
…when parents created a back-to-school budget that didn’t include and handbag by Marc Jacobs?
Parents, I encourage you to think about why you’re working 70 hours/week at a job you hate and for a company with sketchy leaders.
- Are you working for your retirement?
- For a vacation?
- For the basics?
- Or are you working for your kid’s designer wardrobe?
- To overcompensate for the childhood that you didn’t have?
I’m waiting for the moment in the workforce when employees say ENOUGH to consumerism and crass consumption. ENOUGH to Chanel and Stella McCartney. ENOUGH to spa days for young girls and expensive, tacky, sweet-sixteen birthday parties.
Your kids don’t deserve nice things. They deserve a little discipline, public education, and three squares a day. Maybe some pants…
…but socks are optional.
If your kids misbehave or don’t appreciate your sacrafice, I think it’s perfectly fine to tell your evil boss to shove it, quit your job, and cut back on the designer sneakers. If anyone should be wearing designer sneakers, it’s you.
CNN: Teens Seek Luxury Items for Back-to-School
Updated :: See Consumerist’s 10 Tips That Will Make Sure You’ll Stay Broke and check out #10. Thanks to The 3 R’s for the referral. It’s perfect!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have the luxury of commenting on this from the no kids side of the fence…but i am continually shocked at what my sister will buy her daughter or what my father will buy my (much) younger brothers.
The limit was the brunch at which my niece tried to convince the adults that a Doone & Burke backpack was going to change her life.
I think i stopped paying attention when my 10 year old brother was given a blackberry for his 10th birthday.
The shame of what i see sometimes is that they are still being given this largesse even when they fail to keep their responsibilities.
Roberta, I’m with you.
I sound like a cranky woman, don’t I?
Here’s me on MySpace:
1. Did anyone comment on me, today?
2. Do I have enough friends?
3. How many friends does [insert person here] have?
4. Why do they have more?
5. I should have more!
6. I wonder if my ex-boyfriend is on here?
7. I wonder if George Clooney is on MySpace?
8. How come no one commented on me, today?
9. I’ll comment on someone so they comment on me!
MySpace makes me neurotic!