While in the midst of “Snowmagedon” yesterday here in Colorado, I took some time to catch up on the house, the news, life in general...I read some articles about the “College Scandal” involving rich parents trying to get their kids into “elite” schools. At first, it kind of made me sick, then it made me laugh. Granted, there were potential students who were NOT accepted because these spoiled kids took their places...I still had to stop for a minute to think how the world has changed.
My parents are from hard working-class small town Nebraska. Everything they have, they made on their own and no one ever handed them anything. This translated into my life in ways that, at the time, I hated. Now, I am grateful. Back in the late 70’s we moved to Colorado Springs and landed in a very affluent part of town. The purpose was to get us kids into a great school district. It worked. Over 90% of my high school went to college. College was “the plan”. After several lunches and interviews, I received the Rotary Scholarship. This was the biggest thing I had ever accomplished. It was $500. I’ll never forget one of the candidates (I wont say who) walked up to me and said, “I never thought it would be YOU”... I remember feeling deflated and unworthy. After all, this particular guy was popular and smart and “worthy”. My parents were pretty happy. They had 4 kids, 2 of which would be in school at the same time. That money went straight to tuition. I remember thinking that it would take some stress off of them. I would still need to work for spending money and gas, but somehow I was “helping”. It was up to me to pick a couple of schools to apply ...not 10...applications are expensive. At the time, I think it cost upwards of $25 per application. Again, that was “waste”. I ended up at CU Boulder with a partial athletic scholarship (training) and off I went. I was (and am) extremely grateful. I remember getting my first credit card. I put (God help me) a pair of boots on it. They were $35 and I thought, “Good God, help me pay these off”.
Money was a privilege, not a right.
Money was earned, not given.
A degree was hard fought, not “paid for”.
I think the reason I “laughed” a little when I read this was because, these kids are so CLUELESS. Mommy and Daddy can make everything better with a credit card. They can BUY your degree and your “value” in life. Guess what? YOU are in charge of your value. Mom and Dad cannot fix you with money. Wake Up, Parents! Teach your kids to work, to save, to value their own achievements because they EARNED them.
When you make your kids pay for something out their “own” money, it teaches them VALUE. Stop paying for everything. My “summer money” aka...minimum wage...went for gas and clothing. At the time, I’m sure I was too immature to understand what I was learning and the purpose of the plan. NOW...I get it. It’s okay to take pride in something well earned.
Thanks CoffeeTalkNan and CoffeeTalkPops!
Cash is King,
CoffeeTalkMom
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