Comments on: Lessons Learned from a Bicycle

By: Dustin | Engaged Marriage

Dustin | Engaged Marriage — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:00:42 +0000

I love it! My wife and I share a similar story regarding our own upbringing versus the more spoiled experiences of our two young children. Of course you want your children to have a better lifestyle than you, but it can be a struggle when you can see it is doing more harm than good in some cases. My best childhood memories involve things that were free: exploring in the woods, fishing, walking with my Mom to get the mail at the end of our lane.

By: David@DINKS Finance

David@DINKS Finance — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:17:19 +0000

Hopefully your child doesn’t go to school with a lot of kids who have “rich” parents. Not that anything is wrong with that, as it is their parents choice as to how they want to raise them. But I would find it MUCH harder to raise a kid to NOT be materialistic when their friends have all the latest gadgets.

By the way – Great to hear you live in Minnesota – born, raised, and still living here as well!

By: Brandy

Brandy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:33:23 +0000

That’s a great story about the bike. Kids sure can surprise you like that sometimes!

It’s so hard to raise kids to appreciate their stuff in today’s materialistic world. I’m spared the constant spoiling by the fact that my son’s grandparents live far away, but they also know to ask me before they buy any toys. They are allowed to buy him as many books and puzzles as they want but anything else has to pass mom’s approval. Of course, if they ever got him something I didn’t want him to have, I’d just give it to a local charity!

By: Kantoorpand Kantoorruimte huren

Kantoorpand Kantoorruimte huren — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:56:26 +0000

I totally agree. It’s hard to get your child on the positive path. In this time there are a lot of temptations for children to get on the bad path.

By: mewithoutdebt

mewithoutdebt — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:26:43 +0000

good story. congratulations on raising such a wonderful child in this materialistic world.

By: Tam Lieb

Tam Lieb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:25:48 +0000

I’m afraid that’s what we grandparents do…spoil them, at least a little. We are finally at a point in life where we have some disposable income. It’s the timing!

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:02:22 +0000

I think grandparents naturally spoil their grandchildren, mine always would give me $1-$5 dollars when I saw them and my parents would say no. Of course my parents also say they would do the same if I ever have kids. Just natural but the values and lessons you teach your son are clearly sticking because it’s not all about material items.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:36:34 +0000

Interesting ironies. Your parents become the grandparents you wanted as a kid, but once you grow up and have kids of your own, you realize your parents were right to be the way they were.

You sound like you’ve done a really good job instilling your kids with good character and responsibility.

Dan
Casual Kitchen