A lot of kids see being spoiled as their parents giving them a fancy new car or giving them credit cards with no limits or designer shoes.. But I was spoiled in a completely different way. From a very young age, I learned that I was going to have to work for what I wanted; money to buy a car, money to have a social life, money to shop,everything.
And I thank my parents for that.
No, I didn't pull up to school in the fanciest car that mommy and daddy's money could buy me, but I did drive one of their vehicles to school until I can afford my own. They are teaching me the importance of saving every dollar possible and to work for what I want instead of just giving one to me.
No, I didn't have the designer dresses or jeans that cost well over $100 a piece, but they made sure I had clothes on my back that fit and looked good. No, they weren't taking me shopping to spend hundreds of dollars on clothes that cost a fortune because of a label. They taught me that if I wanted to spend that much, I would have to buy it myself. And that taught me that no label or name is worth that amount when there is something just as good out there for a MUCH better price.
At a young age, I was doing my own laundry, loading the dishwasher, other household chores. No, they didn't teach their kids that because they were lazy and didn't want to do it them selves or anything like that.. They were teaching me early on that they won't always be around to do those things and as a child of their family, I would be helping out. I knew how to work a washing machine going into college but other kids didn't. I knew the importance of soaking a dish in hot, soapy water while others just let the bowl sit. It was the little things like that which made me thankful for parents who didn't do EVERYTHING for me.
Most importantly, they told me that when I started to drive a car and could take on that responsibility, I was responsible enough to work a job. From 15 years old to this very day, I've had a job. I've made my own money. I've had to time manage to work with school and a job and friends. Out of all of that though, I got a work ethic. I know that nothing in life will be handed to me for free or easily.
A lot of kids in this generation are given expensive cars, cash whenever they want to do something, gas money when they want to ride all over town, they never have to left a finger for chores. There was a time when I was extremely jealous of these kids, I won't lie. I didn't understand why they didn't have to work for a car or do their own laundry but thankfully, my parents didn't give me the world in a tangible way of money or anything physical.
Instead, my parents gave me the world in work ethic, the value of a dollar, life skills and genuine love and support because they know I'm capable of doing big things on my own.
And for that, I thank them.
