Being content with providing average life (school. childcare, neighborhood, etc) = bad parent?

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

I don't expect everyone to share my frugal views.

So if the kids would've also got rib eye he would've been a better parent? He did feed the kids right? Let them live in his house? Send them to school? Buy clothes? This reminds me of the other thread around here about the parent having to race his child to the recliner and if he lost he sits in the floor. I'm of the opinion that kids should appreciate what they do get and don't worry about what pappa and mamma do with the finances. If dad gets his $2500 hot rod part and little Jimmy only gets a $200 ipod - so be it. Little Jimmy can always get in the adoption line if he feels cheated.

Yep. No pedantic arguing here, no sir. And nope, you don't have several posts humble bragging about your superior frugal ways.

And my FIL? Of course you're stuck on the meaningless notion of 1:1 parity. What would have made him a better parent would have been not to be a narcissistic boob by lording his father ship over his kids. Lots of good food besides liver that he could have fed. Of course tepid gruel would be good enough, no?

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

The other thread was to talk dollar and cents (medical cost, copays, etc) - this thread is to talk about the philosphy/mentality that drives parent to spend what they spend or don't spend.

I know this is crossthreading, but this can't be reconciled with you other infamous thread talking about what drives adults to spend money in ways contrary to your tastes.

[eddiehaskell]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

Yep. No pedantic arguing here, no sir. And nope, you don't have several posts humble bragging about your superior frugal ways.

My ways aren't superior, but I will debate folks that tell me I'm missing out on something by living frugally.

And my FIL? Of course you're stuck on the meaningless notion of 1:1 parity. What would have made him a better parent would have been not to be a narcissistic boob by lording his father ship over his kids. Lots of good food besides liver that he could have fed. Of course tepid gruel would be good enough, no?

Perhaps the "lording father" doesn't bother me as much because I've seen it so often. Most families I'm accustomed to seeing consider fathers to be head of the house/disciplinarian/final decision maker. Sometimes this involves the father being more comfortable (getting the chair) or having a little better food (lets say a steak vs hamburgers).

[Jaded]

Then you'll have to debate in real life. This thread has deteriorated beyond repair.