This is something that also chaps my ass - bad ass kids with the best money can buy. Why?!?!
Help me understand why Man-Man can fail all his classes & cuss the teacher out, but he's wearing the latest, most expensive gear & has a video game set up that would bring a tear to Sony's eye. Help me understand why Kee-Kee won't get up off her lazy ass, sweep the floor, take out the trash or wash a dish, but she goes to the salon for pampering like clockwork, as if she has a damn job. These things are a priviledge, not a damn birthright. These lil fuckers have gotten over like a fat rat!
With the exception of having too much mouth & being way too sassy (I've got memories of the split lips to prove it), I was a pretty good kid. I certainly didn't have everything I wanted, but now that I am grown, I realize I did have everything I needed.
I used to be envious of kids who had 'things' (like Jordache jeans & Colecovision to name a couple), I didn't when I knew damn well I was more deserving than they were. Just didn't seem fair. I now know that my mother was taking care of us using her widow's pension & my grandparent's were also retired & not even trying to hear about spending that kind of money on material things.
As the old folks say, we live and we learn & they ain't never lied.
I promised myself that if I ever had kids (and I did way too soon), I'd go to the end of the Earth to provide him/her with some of the things he/she wanted, providing he/she was deserving,
Those who know me, know my boy had a different idea. I, in turn, let the punishment fit the crime. The last video game system I purchased was a Sega Genesis (trust that I still play me some Sonic on ocassion).
He was about 12 the last time he had a birthday party, the last time he saw his name on a box under the tree & the last time he traveled for anything other than a funeral.
Tennis shoes that costs more than one of my utility bills were definitely out of the question. He did get lucky a few times tho when I found a BOGO 1/2 off sale & I could cop a pair also. I've even gone so far as to prepare a steak & shrimp dinner (one of his favs) and not offer him a bite. It's Top Ramen or Chef Boyardee for you son.
The law states I have to provide adequate food, clothing & shelter. It says nothing about spending my hard earned dollar on the latest & greatest for an ingrate. He didn't do what he I required of him, so I only did what the law required of me.
Most of my friends say I'm a mean-ass moma & was too harsh. Damn that. I work too hard to give my money to an undeserving anybody....especially one I gave birth too.
As always, the floor is open.
