Kids and the future

[Coexist]

There seems to be a lot of concern amongst parents recently, that their kids might not do as well they as them. For the first time ever in America (insert many exclamation points here)

But the more I think about it, the more I wonder about the reference points, the parameters, that 'as well as' means.

My two semi-adult kids (the 3rd is still in middle school) will probably not own a home as large as the one I'm desperate to get rid of. They are part of a generation that wrinkles their noses at the waste of energy and sneer about McMansions. They are disgusted by vehicles that are large enough to carry 9 being used by a family of 3. They have groups of freegans that cannot abide waste and feel that an empty house needs to be occupied by a person in need of a home, no matter what the neighbors or bank might think. Food should be eaten, even if if slightly bruised.

I moved to the suburbs thinking that is where kids were "supposed" to be raised. I never really fell in love with suburban life, but did what I felt was best for my kids. And I have had the great pleasure of been watching them blossom and grow more outside the suburbs in diverse, liberal college towns than they did here in Vanillaville. It makes me wince and sigh about yet another parenting myth I participated in. And am none the better for.

So, maybe this generation won't 'do as well' by my generations twisted standards... but you know what? Growing up in consumer culture gone bad might have taught them that what's important isn't the 'stuff' you spend all your free time shopping for. Maybe they'll realize that real things aren't on a shelf in a store that you can't afford but buy anyhow, but in living a reasonable, genuine life.

In that respect, they are light years ahead of, and far richer than most of my generation already, and I think I'm okay with that.

In fact - truth be told - I have been trying to learn from them.

[Count Olaf]

1. K&R

nt

[Skittles]

2. ???

I'm 53 and me and MY PEERS won't do as well as our parents did

[SoCalDem]

3. Things often skip a generation

My mother HATED "home-made" stuff, because to her (a child of the depression), that meant POOR. so she was an avid consumer.I LOVED to sew & re-create things. It's probably because she HAD to have re-used stuff and I just wanted to re-use:)
She flipped out when she found out I bought kids clothes at garage sales & flea markets:)


The old things that my grandmother held onto were prized possessions to me. i still use her old pressure cooker, and silverware...and would have loved to have had more of her things, but my mother sold everything she could get her hands on.. so she could buy JUNK...but glitzy NEW junk.

Sometimes the next generation is just too close to appreciate things, and the one after, wants it..

[Coexist]

6. maybe thats it...

everyone who wasn't far left wanted to be Alex P Keaton in my generation, own a car, a boat, and a home larger than they needed. its kind of scary. I am so glad that there is a new wave of back to basics

[wickerwoman]

4. K&R

Thanks for this.

So few people are willing to recognize that the way we live is fundamentally changing before our eyes and even fewer can see that it's actually not completely a bad thing.

[Norrin Radd]

5. kr

[seabeyond]

7. this is why, on that thread, i said i wasnt worried for my own.

if one is willing to see the higher in things.

plus, what good does it do to worried about the unknown and what might possibly be. it is what it is. and what one does with it, is what will be lived.

good post

[4_TN_TITANS]

8. My kids are the same...

They've grown up with a fraction of the 'toys' that I had and have a much better sense of what is really important in life. I just hope there are some jobs around when they get old enough because they are very willing to work and build their own lives.

[4_TN_TITANS]

9. My kids are the same...

They've grown up with a fraction of the 'toys' that I had and have a much better sense of what is really important in life. I just hope there are some jobs around when they get old enough because they are very willing to work and build their own lives.