A double post today. Feeling privileged yet?
I just witnessed yet another episode of grandeur in inviting someone to a school dance and I began to think about the days when I was younger and you just asked. Does anybody else sit and think, "Hmmm maybe if we make EVERY single event a life-altering big deal, it won't make the truly big events special anymore?" I watch all of these kids have to plan these grand invitations to homecoming or prom. I watch these teenage boys have to shell out cash from their own wallet to buy 100 balloons or 5 dozen roses to provide some sort of life altering invitation to a school function or just for a date and I think that it's no wonder people end up split up so easily these days.
As a divorcee, I can honestly say that I understand the concept of a relationship being over. Mine was a special set of circumstances (as I'm sure most everyone thinks their is) but I watch these couples getting engaged this day and focusing so much on an expensive ring, an expensive and extravagant proposal, engagement parties, wedding showers and house-payment-sized weddings and I wonder how much they're focusing on their actual relationship. Now downsize this to a teenage relationship, which feels like it's the most important thing in the world at the time, and sit by curiously wondering what the heck these kids have so many high expectations about this stuff from.
To the teenagers of the world (and the kids), enjoy being a kid while you're young. Don't expect your boyfriend to spend $1000 to ask you to prom. If you're meant to be, it'll happen later in life that he'll plan an extravagant proposal for you. Until then, just enjoy being a kid and stop expecting so damn much. Kids have enough on their plates without adding in this bs.
To the parents of teens, talk to your kids about this and set a limit. There is a difference between a gesture and spending oodles of money that could be saved for college, a car, a first home, or whatever. Don't encourage your girls to expect this crap and don't encourage your boys to participate (and vice versa).
*steps down off soapbox*
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