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I'm not 8 - 12 years old and I've worked for every dollar I spent to buy this computer. 3 jobs where I work almost 16 hours a day yearly vs. a kid who doesn't even make his or her bed.
But you are attributing this to all parents/children. Even those you don't know. Not every family has the same dynamics as yours. Try a less broad brush.
I'm not 8 - 12 years old and I've worked for every dollar I spent to buy this computer. 3 jobs where I work almost 16 hours a day yearly vs. a kid who doesn't even make his or her bed.
A hard worker. Good for you.
So why can you buy your toys but a parent (who may also be working 3 jobs and 16 hours a day) can't make the decision on what to buy for their kids without the condemnation? It makes no sense. Neither does the claim that kids aren't making their beds. You're checking those things?
So why can you buy your toys but a parent (who may also be working 3 jobs and 16 hours a day) can't make the decision on what to buy for their kids without the condemnation? It makes no sense. Neither does the claim that kids aren't making their beds. You're checking those things?
Because I'm an adult and work for my money. I carefully consider my purchases, rather than just asking for santa to bring them to me (even when the kid knows there's no santa) and a 1000+ dollar thing shows up. I'm really done. Some people in this thread get it, some dont. I will say that I'm typing this post from a place that would be considered the 1%, but the people here do not just buy something for kids because they can afford it. Truth is they can afford almost anything, but they are like me, they want their kids to value the dollar, earn things rather than just "have it because they can afford it". There really is something wrong with that line of thought, but I can't really teach it here.
There really is something wrong with that line of thought, but I can't really teach it here.
You don't need to "teach" it; people already understand what you're saying. Not everyone agrees with it, but that doesn't make them (or you) wrong. Differences of opinion are a part of life -- no need for angst.
Because I'm an adult and work for my money. I carefully consider my purchases, rather than just asking for santa to bring them to me (even when the kid knows there's no santa) and a 1000+ dollar thing shows up. I'm really done. Some people in this thread get it, some dont. I will say that I'm typing this post from a place that would be considered the 1%, but the people here do not just buy something for kids because they can afford it. Truth is they can afford almost anything, but they are like me, they want their kids to value the dollar, earn things rather than just "have it because they can afford it". There really is something wrong with that line of thought, but I can't really teach it here.
What are you trying to teach us? Do you honestly think that people don't think about their purchases?
Over the past year we have purchased three laptops. One was for me. I got the MacBook Air that I wanted.
The second was for child number 1. He was turning 18 was going to college and we wanted to get him a new laptop to take to college. He was given a budget and chose what he wanted.
The third was for child number 2. He had an old laptop that was falling apart and we told him he could either have a big party when he turned 16 or we would buy him a laptop. He chose the laptop with some input from my husband.
We have money and we spend some of that money on our children. That does not make us mindless or materialistic. It does not mean that our children never learn the value of a dollar. It just means that we do not think that our kids need to be denied any extras just because they are children.
Last edited by Green Irish Eyes; 12-28-2012 at 09:36 PM..
I'm not 8 - 12 years old and I've worked for every dollar I spent to buy this computer. 3 jobs where I work almost 16 hours a day yearly vs. a kid who doesn't even make his or her bed.
But the parents who buy the tech devices for their kids have (usually) also worked hard for their paychecks, too. And regardless, it is their money. Why shouldn't they be able to spend their own money and provide for their own families as they see fit?
Why is it any of your business what these people give to their kids? And who are you to decide who is/is not "worthy" enough to own any given tech device?
I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate people poking their nose into your business and analyzing your own personal financial decisions like that...
Here's what I see in the world. Parents who are thinking they are doing the right thing by giving it to them, but they do not possess the understanding of what they are giving to their kids. It's access to everything, all knowledge, all people, all social circles. Would these parents let their kids hang out at the highschool in the back where people are smoking cigs? Well, by letting them explore social media, it's just the same (UNLESS there's heavy monitoring which most parents don't do).
Even though I disagreed with it I have respected that you have your own opinion and nothing is going to change it.....until now.
That is probably the most alarmist attitude I have ever seen. Giving a kid an iPad is akin to letting them hang out with the smokers???
Because I'm an adult and work for my money. I carefully consider my purchases, rather than just asking for santa to bring them to me (even when the kid knows there's no santa) and a 1000+ dollar thing shows up. I'm really done. Some people in this thread get it, some dont. I will say that I'm typing this post from a place that would be considered the 1%, but the people here do not just buy something for kids because they can afford it. Truth is they can afford almost anything, but they are like me, they want their kids to value the dollar, earn things rather than just "have it because they can afford it". There really is something wrong with that line of thought, but I can't really teach it here.
Here's the thing I think you're missing though. A computer or laptop is not just a toy. People make serious livings doing serious stuff using computers only. There are some artistic genres which use Macs and Apple owned software exclusively. I'm not saying that kids are only using it as a career building tool - but computers are not just playthings and it's important that we don't equate them with fun and games exclusively.
Kids don't start off reading heavy technical texts when they learn to read - they learn using fun books that interest them, so they can decipher the heavy stuff later. If you don't see the value in kids' exploring the computer as a fun thing first on their way to using them as a professional tool then there's not much point in a discussion.
You might as well ban all books because if they read Dick And Jane in first grade then they're on the slippery slope to reading Dick Does Jane (and seeing the movie version) when they're 13.
It just so happens that tech costs money, but then so does everything. A bit of perspective either side does wonders.
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