Kids Classism
Lil one had some friends over, second graders, nice enough kids. However I cannot help but observe that children who visit us sooner or later end up asking about our finances.
I know at some point I bring up the topic myself. But it usually starts like this:
"Our living room table is twice, no, four times bigger. Our living room is four times bigger than yours."
So I say: "You must be rich then?"
From former conversations, though, I know this is where we'll end up anyway. Children always think about money. But they don't think anybody's rich or poor. Neither they and their family nor anybody they know. Everyone is kinda middle.
These kids told me, they aren't rich because they have to save money for a whole year to go on vacation. Fair enough. I say we're poor and we can never go on vacation.
The topic keeps coming back: "Why don't you have more money?"
"Well, how do you get more money?"
"Sometimes you get more money from work. If you're a scientist you can make a lot of money. 30€ per day. My dad is an engineer."
It
is annoying, to be quite honest. I know it's not the kids' fault. But that entitlement? And the tunnel vision. Sure, my apartment isn't too big. But there's lots of cool stuff. Do your parents have a custom wall cloth showing a bright pink sky and Japanese cherry blossom tree? Do you have a Novation Circuit groove box at home? My balcony might be small but it's filled with lush plants.
No, it's just: our things are bigger and we go kayaking on the weekends and why don't you have more money?
#classism #parenting