Have we Created a world of Divas?

Have you ever stood outside of a high school parking lot, watching 16 year olds get into their BMW's? Have you ever looked at the price tags of your kids Jordans? Have you ever gone shopping for makeup at Sephora, where an average lipgloss is $25, and realise the average age in there is 15? Well if you have kids, you know exactly what I talking about.

Born into middle class families, I am grateful for the lifestyle that my husband and I have created. We have worked hard in order to afford the finer things in life, such as a nice home, ability to travel the world and private education for our children. Like many parents, we find joy and gratification at being able to spoil our kids with expensive clothes and the latest IPHONE. (Be honest, we have all done it at one time or another.) We have always heard the famous phrase, ' We want better for our kids'; But is this really better for them? Are we actually doing more harm by overindulging they're every whim?

I remember going to search for my first part-time job at the age of 13. I was excited at the idea of being able to earn my own money and finally be able to buy the things my parents would have never splurged on, like a pair of Nike Air sneakers priced at $120.00, at the time. I took every shift I could, in order to save up for these shoes. When I finally walked out of FootLocker with my new Nikes, I had such a sense of accomplishment. I worked so hard for these shoes, that I remember keeping those shoes for 11 years, no joke. I think of those shoes every time I look at the pile of sneakers, just thrown in a pile on the garage floor.

I look at the kids today, and I am truly concerned for their future. Many only know a life of comfort, IPHONES and 4* dining, all without ever putting in a full days work. Some will have a complete tantrum just for suggesting they look for a summer job. Why should they? They are going to get what they want any, just by asking. But what will they do when mom and dad are no longer there to save the day? What happens when they get married and cant afford three holidays a year and to dine at THE KEG? What happens when they hear the words, "You can't have that, we can't afford it."

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we shouldn't give our kids nice things or only give them salad and Craft Dinner for supper. Even though I like me a Mac and Cheese dish from time to time. How about paying only part of the item and you child pays the rest. HOW? WITH A JOB! When my kids were younger, I refused to pay $79 for the latest Playstation game. They had to save, if they wanted certain items.

TD Jakes once said, " It's not what you leave them that makes them great; It's what you leave in them." Maybe we should try teaching our kids about the value of hard work, how to save and balance a check book and investing. Make them confidant and intelligent, so they don't spend their time trying to fit in, but actually stand out.