Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

[mjrube94]

Re: Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

I think some kids today are just lazy...they want mommy and daddy to take care of them instead of bucking up and taking care of themselves.

This quote made me remember this article from the Boston Globe. Apparently, "parental overinvolvement" in their kids' lives, basically tending to every little problem that crops up, has led Northeastern University (among others) to hold a special parent orientation when they drop off their kids, basically telling them (in as nice a way as possible) to back off, and let their kids handle their own problems. Maybe if more kids learned that mom and dad weren't always there to bail them out, they'd be a little more self-sufficient...

http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2005/08/20/case_of_the_hovering_parents/

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

i dont think there can be such as thing as overinvolvement. im very involved in my kids days. noone seems to mind either, and even the teacher will notify me when something is needed cause she knows i love to support thier efforts. when parents arent involved, u end up with columbine. i live near jonesboro. its a sad time, they were just on american justice tonight too.

[jmjj215]

Re: Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

I don't think it's inflation/cost of living nearly as much as it's cost of "wants". People just want more - and they spend OPM to get it - mortgaging their future incomes in the process.

[Snoopy2645]

Re: Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

Well add me to the list I went to school & worked ft & was a single mom at 18 & living on my own never went on welfare & never had to depend on anyone btw the father couldnt help at the time & never has offered much in the last 11yrs. And for my dh he graduated just last month with straight A's & a degree in engineering & was working 60plus hours a week on top of it all. And neither one of us had anyone to fall back on both of our fathers have passed away. And our moms have enough on thier plate in fact my mom will graduate in may from college with a degree in accounting.


What I believe is getting ahead is not much harder than before I believe if you work hard good things will follow!! But so many out thier today dont want to work hard I know two girls I have gotten to be friends with one goes to school 3 half days a week & thats all she can handle no work nothing!! And the other works 1 day a week and thats all she can handle just so many people with such poor work ethic. KWIM & yet these same people are carrying cell phones which I would never waste my money on.

[cicy33]

Re: Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

i dont think there can be such as thing as overinvolvement. im very involved in my kids days. noone seems to mind either, and even the teacher will notify me when something is needed cause she knows i love to support thier efforts. when parents arent involved, u end up with columbine. i live near jonesboro. its a sad time, they were just on american justice tonight too.

I think that the poster meant when they are dropped off for college. And I totally agree. I mean when do people think it is time for these kids to grow up! I started this about the time my daughter was 10. She had to start learning to get what she wanted by working for it and to solve her own problems. Now she is a 20 year old responsible young woman. She does have all the "stuff" BUT she pays for it and works overtime if she wants something. She didn't go to college but does work full time. and now adays frankly college is overrated. I have a degree and can't get a decent paying job in my field. working for lawyers. they pay the worst! So I became an office administrator.

[Ima saver]

Re: Why getting ahead is getting harder (article)

I think we made it because we both worked very hard, especially my dh. He started building houses at $7.50 an hour. $300 a week wasn't really enough to live on, so he worked 60plus hours a week and still does. He rarely takes off any day except Christmas day. I took the only job I could find here, working as a waitress. The tips adveraged about $20 a day for a 7 hour shift, but anytime someone called in sick, I took their shift if offered. That meant I would often work 14 hour shifts, 7 days a week.