How Do You Teach Frugality to the MTV Generation?by Traci Anderson | More from this Blogger 05 Apr 2007 10:18 AM
I was horrified as I watched a teenage girl beg her dad for a brand new BMW convertible. "But Daddy...I waaaaaant it"....she pleaded. My jaw dropped. The father actually looked like he was considering it. He used the classic "we'll see" response that normal parents use when their children want a nice pair of sneakers or expensive jeans. It turns out that I was watching MTV's new reality series, "My Super Sweet Sixteen". A show devoted to following ultra-rich, spoiled teenagers as they plan their sixteenth birthday parties. Once I realized I was watching MTV I felt guilty. I wanted to change the channel but it was like a bad train wreck. I couldn't turn away. As the show continued the snotty little princess ended up with a birthday party that cost more than my current home followed by a brand new "beemer" that cost more than my college education. My heart sank. Is this the sort of message I will be competing with when my kids reach their teens? As a former youth counselor, I've witnessed the excessiveness of the MTV generation first-hand. When I was a teenager, I was thrilled when my parents bought me a pair of $40 Guess jeans. However, thanks to the influences of ridiculous celebrities like Paris Hilton and musicians like "Puff Daddy...or P-Diddy..." (whatever he wants to be called this week) the requests and expectations of some teenagers are becoming outrageous. I remember a recent visit with my family when I overheard my teenage foster brother begging my middle-class parents for money to buy a Rolex watch. "Please tell me you are kidding, Mike"....I laughed. Sadly, he wasn't. He was annoyed with my sarcasm. "What's wrong with a Rolex?" he asked. "What is your problem?" "Do you think mom and dad are made of money?" Oh my goodness, I sounded just like my parents all of the sudden. I wish this was one of those posts where I could offer tips, suggestions and ideas, but I am the mother of two preschoolers who are still thrilled when they find a penny on the floor. Therefore, I need your help before it is too late. If you are a parent of a teenager (or pre-teen) what do you do to compete with a culture that sends the message that they are not good-enough without a little "bling-bling" (like Prada purses, Louie Vuitton watches and Gucci sunglasses)? How are you teaching frugality to the MTV generation? Related Reading: Competing With Reality Television Learn more about Traci Anderson  Traci is a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) from beautiful Big Sky Country (Montana). She spends most of her time trying to keep up with two extremely energetic (but hysterical) Irish twins. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments Dinosmile (16) 05 Apr 2007 05:29 PMI hate to break it to you Traci, but WE are the MTV generation. Folks who grew up in the early 70's to the mid-80's have that lucky title, which means that some of US are parents to some of those kids. (btw, My Super Sweet Sixteen has been on for 2 or 3 seasons already... you're showing your age). =} Ok, all teasing aside, I have to admit that I occasionally watch that show, mainly because I wonder how these so-called adults allow their kids to behave in such a horrific way. I keep expecting a parent to say, [*GASP*] "no." I've got a little one as well, and this is my take on the matter: if you allow your kids to behave like they're entitled to "bling," they'll expect the bling. I plan to treat reality TV just like fiction. Sure, I watched "Silver Spoons" growing up and desperately wanted a train running through the house, but I had no illusions that I was going to get one. I suspect that crap like my Super Sweet Sixteen will be long replaced by new crap by the time our kids are old enough to watch. And then when they expect me to cave to some ludicrous demand, I'm going to act just like you did with your foster brother: laugh hysterically.  Traci Anderson (970) 05 Apr 2007 07:21 PMCome on now, Dinosmile...maybe I am WAYYYYY older than you! LOL. Okay - maybe we are *that* generation, but I am pretty old-fashioned and it feels like the "bling-bling" movement has gotten out of control. Perhaps I need to start laughing now because I know it is coming soon enough..... =) Thanks for the comment! Dinosmile (16) 06 Apr 2007 05:37 PMNah, I'll be 36 next week. =} I totally agree with you about the "bling-bling" movement, although it is somewhat ironic that I grew up in the middle of 80's "excess." Then again, my family couldn't afford that sort of stuff, so I never learned to expect it. I don't think those kids are the norm, so there is hope. I found a great article on Wikipedia on the generations. The kids on Sweet 16 now are in the "Echo Boom" generation and supposedly share values with their grandparents, many of whom were raised depression-era. Anyway, you're right about those Sweet 16 kids, whatever they're called! supermom_in_ny (5) 03 Aug 2007 04:56 AMI'm a mom to 7 kids. They are 18, 16, 15, 14, 12, 8 and 5. We watch MTV's Super Sweet Sixrteen and are horrified at the behavior of those kids. Now, I love designer brands. My kids have always worn brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Baby Phat, Limited Too and Nike Jordans. This is how I dress them, but I'm an expert bargain hunter. I bought my daughter a pair of $90.00 Timberlamd Boots at FinishLine for $9.99! My kids have learned this and people are amazed how they can go to the MALL, buy designer brands and pay very little. We use coupons that are found on the store's websites, certificates that are sent home (to cardholders) and shop using the clearance rack. At their school, staff and kids think they are wealthy....if they only knew. It's all about how you bring them up. Those parents created those monsters. They were never disciplined and never heard the word, "NO". Those kids would be suicidal if their parents lost their money... Don't worry. I've read through your other blog and you're doing a great job. Your children will have a healthy outlook on life and finances. Boy, those parents are crazy! They're letting the whole world see what horrible parents they ARE! Those kids are spoiled and horrible human beings! UGH!!! Community Tags budget, frugal, MTV, thrifty, teens Discuss this article
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It was one of those rare moments that I was home-alone and bored. I was flipping through the TV stations hoping I would find a repeat of Nanny 911 or a new episode of American Idol. As I flipped through the stations I paused on what looked like a new reality TV show. 
