It’s natural to want our children to have all the things that we never did
We all love to give our kids the best we can afford – but are there times when we’re guilty of over indulging them?
Brooklyn Beckham, 17, passed his driving test last month and now drives a £37,600 Mercedes.
Did the Bank of Mum and Dad help out?
David and Victoria Beckham are undoubtedly good parents. They’ve raised four happy, healthy children who enjoy each other’s company.
But for all of us who are parents and grandparents, there is an issue about how much we over-indulge our children in a natural bid to give them all the things we didn’t have? I plead guilty on this one. The birthday presents I got as a child were a book and some sweets. But when I see the mountain of toys and games my grandchildren get every birthday I think – how did that happen?
Do they really need a pyramid of prezzies and a party at a expensive play centre venue when they are five years old?
Apparently so. It’s the done thing. Every other child in their nursery or primary school has this kind of party, so jelly and ice cream at home with a game of hide and seek would be far too humiliating.
But for whom? Is it the parents need to “keep up” which is at stake or would today’s kids be bored by pin the tail on the donkey or pass the parcel?
Progress is a funny old thing. From generation to generation there’s an in-built human urge to be effect. Sharing makes your day feel brighter and pays a better dividend than any financial institution.
But getting the balance right is tricky.
I’m sure our kids are bored rigid by tales of how their dad had to lie under rusty old cars trying to mend them in order to pass the MOT so we could go on day trips to the seaside with ham sandwiches and a flask.
But I bet David and Victoria remind their four that they came from working class backgrounds and only got what they really, really wanted by working hard, giving each challenge their best shot and supporting each other through it Sometimes we over compensate all. though. I know I do. A 17-year-old owning a luxury
There’s huge satisfaction in giving sports car may be seen as over our grown up kids a bit of a helping indulgence – but if Brooklyn’s hand if they need something or learned the message behind it, who spoiling our grandchildren. knows where his own talents and
Splashing the cash on things you hard work may take him? know will bring happiness to the And no one will be prouder of his people you love has a boomerang achievements than his parents.
the best we can be. Aspirations shouldn’t be stifled.
It’s what leads people to get a better education, work hard, try to get a job which will enable them to buy their own home, enjoy foreign holidays, have financial security and give their children a good standard of living.