Am I Spoiled? Absolutely. Am I A Spoiled Brat? Absolutely Not.
Grateful never boastful.
I admit it, I'm spoiled.
For my whole life, I was always papa's little girl. So many people have stated that if he could, he would have given me the moon. I can believe it. My mama always despised him for never really punishing me when I really needed a belt put to my behind. Instead, I was given a slight lecture about right from wrong that, I'll admit, went in one ear and out the other.
I earned $5 for every A I made on my report card. I was driving a brand new Camaro at 14 years old. I asked for something and 98% of the time, the answer was yes. I am handed money for gas, clothes, and other "wants." I've never had to work a day in my life because things have pretty much been handed to me.
I know what you're thinking. This girl is a spoiled brat that needs to learn a lesson about hard work. That's where I disagree.
I'm a firm believer in letting a kid be a kid for as long as they possibly can. I don't have memories of clocking into a job that pays a few cents an hour. Instead, I have the memories of hanging out with my friends and doing kid things. My grandparents allowed me to live out my childhood the way parents should. Too often parents feel like they need to make their child work for what they have so they know what it feels like. Trust me, they'll learn a lesson or two about hard work. But let them be a kid while they still can.
Has everything I needed and wanted been given to me? Yes. Have for one second I've ever been ungrateful? No.
I'll admit, I do find myself asking for more than I need. Whereas most kids get around a $100 budget when they go shopping my budget tends to be around $200. When most college kids need more money put into their account, most parents will put between $50-$100 on it.
My grandma chooses to put $300. Do I walk around with my nose stuck up in the air because I can afford to buy a few more expensive things than most? No. Instead, I thank God that I was raised in a family that valued hard work and put their children's needs before their own.
I can remember hearing stories about times before I was born when times were extremely tough. My grandma once said she had to sell her ring just so they could have enough money. For the first 12 years of my life, we lived in a double-wide trailer. Often times instead of going out we would eat a sandwich at home instead.
My grandpa worshipped a man that went from being homeless to a billionaire. He watched his tv show and read the books he wrote. My grandparents changed the way they paid bills, and in 2012 they had enough money saved up to build a house. We took a two-week road trip up the East coast for summer vacation. I was given a $30,000 car.
As far as I could tell, we were pretty well off. But that didn't come from sitting around and waiting for a miracle. It came from years of hard work and sacrifice.
Grandparents are known to be a little more giving than parents, so since I lived with mine I was more susceptible to a few more "Yeses" than I probably should have been. But don't think for one second that I'm not grateful for every "yes" I received. I know the behind the scenes work that went into making that saying possible.Do I find myself asking for a new car although I have a perfectly good one sitting in my garage? Absolutely. Do I find myself asking for the new iPhone knowing I have a perfectly good iPhone 8 sitting in front of me right now? Absolutely. Do I find myself asking for an extra $20 when I have plans to go out with friends?
Of course, I do. But when I get told no, I usually let it go and thank my grandparents for what they have given me instead. Do I beg sometimes? Yes! I'm your average teenager with expensive taste that sometimes forgets I have a sister named college tuition that has to be paid now.
So, am I spoiled? Yes. You could probably call me spoiled rotten. I have no problem admitting that, but I won't hinder my opportunities in life to make you feel more comfortable. My parents worked hard to raise and support a family that could be successful in life, and I don't plan to disappoint them.
