Are We Spoiling Our Kids?

A teenager came up to me at the gas station and asked me for ten dollars. I responded by asking him, "Why don't you have a job?" He quickly informed me that we were in a recession. I challenged him by asking him to explain the "Now Hiring" sign in the Popeyes (fast food restaurant) across the street. He looked me dead in the eye and said, "I don't do Popeyes". I laughed and told him I would "see what I could do" after I came out of the store.

Initially, I found myself getting upset at how pathetic this young man was but then began to consider the idea of giving him a few bucks. After all, he was only a kid. Then I really observed him for ten minutes. I noticed that he had on designer shoes, a cell phone, a fresh hair cut and smelled of cologne. Right then I understood, this young man was spoiled! How can any kid who refuses to work fast food deserve to live the high life and have the nerve to ask for what I had to work hard for?

In the old days (and I'm only 35), teenagers worked because our parents refused to spoil us and make us weak. My parents would kill me if I ever begged for money when I had perfect health, mind, and miles of potential jobs (washing cars, cutting grass, raking leaves, fast food, grocery stores, etc). I now realize that my parents gave me the one thing that helped me to be the hard working man I am to day...STRUGGLE.

That's right...struggle. I realized how hard it was to earn a dollar so I learned to value it. I learned that no one was going to give me anything and that I had to earn what I got. I learned to hustle, be resilient, budget and never give up. If someone was hiring I was determined to find out who and beat my competition to the job. I learned that there's always a shortage for talent, hard work, and a positive attitude. I also learned that beggers couldn't be choosy and proudly worked a variety of $4/hr jobs as a teenager.

Back to the teenager. Naturally, I saw the young man when I returned to my car. I said, "Maybe I was too tough on you earlier... I'll trade you this $20 if you'll give me a $10." He smirked and replied, "I don't have a $10". I responded, "You would if you worked at Popeyes"!

Parents, was I too strong or do you feel we are spoiling our kids too?