Can We Raise Grounded Kids In A World Obsessed With More?

Dubai: where the phrase "shop 'til you drop" is taken as a personal challenge. I stood outside the Dubai Aquarium, engaged in a heated negotiation with my miniature human. She was determined to become a mermaid, with puppy dog eyes, folded hands, and a voice that could melt the coldest of hearts. She pleaded, "Mumma, please?" for the third time. I threw in the towel, defeated by her cuteness, and snapped back, "Fine, go ahead! Become a mermaid!"

It wasn't about Mermaids of Arabia or the 399 AED they charged for a "not-so-magical" experience that I still disapprove of. As I watched my daughter twirl around in her rented mermaid tail, I couldn't help but think, "Why did I give in to her request, and why am I paying for this?" To all my fellow parents out there who've fallen prey to the emotional, expensive appeal of children, I feel you. It's as if we're stuck in some kind of never-ending parental purgatory.

The million-dollar question that's been on my mind lately: how do you teach kids the value of money when they're surrounded by luxury and excess? 

Refuse to indulge, and you're labelled a tough, unyielding parent. Give in, and you're too lenient, spoiling them rotten. Their age may change, but the dilemma remains the same, and the stakes only get higher.

My nephew, now 18, has upgraded to fancier, more expensive pursuits – what will thrill him now is probably skydiving or a helicopter tour. It seems the price of happiness is directly proportional to their age. My friend's daughter, studying in Canada, gave her mother the cold shoulder for months after being denied tickets to a Diljit Dosanjh concert. The decision sparked a severe case of FOMO, as her Indian friends were all attending, and she couldn't bear to miss out. Despite being aware that her parents are professionals working hard to pay her education fees, she still expected to get her way.

Raising Little Humans – Tougher than never 

Where did we lose sight of the value of money? When did we start associating love and indulgence with the depth of our wallets? It's a slippery slope, leaving many parents wondering, "How did we get here?" Teaching privileged children to appreciate the value of money when they're used to having everything handed to them is tricky. So, how do we shift their mindset from entitlement to understanding worth?

As working parents, it's tempting to compensate for our absence with gifts. But let's be real, this approach can backfire and create entitled kids. I recall my childhood, where my mother would switch off the TV and instruct us to greet our father at the driveway, saying, "Papa has come from work; he works very hard to provide for us." This simple yet effective ritual instilled a deep respect for hard work and its value.

Child psychologists emphasise how crucial it is to set boundaries and teach children that not every desire can be fulfilled. As parents, it's hard to resist those pleading eyes, but saying ‘yes’ all the time can lead to unhealthy expectations and consequences. I'm trying to remind myself to say ‘no’ more often, even when it's tough.

As parents, we must be mindful of who our kids are hanging out with. Their friend circle can have a big impact on their mindset and values. We want our kids to hang out with friends who'll keep them grounded, not ones who'll fill their heads with flashy brands and an inflated sense of self-importance. And let's be honest, teaching them the difference between needs and wants? That's a tough one.

It's not just about parenting alone. I wish tech companies and social media platforms would take some responsibility for promoting healthier values. The unboxing culture and the obsession with young influencers and easy money can be really damaging to kids' self-esteem and values. At a tender age, they want to be famous without even understanding what fame means. Sometimes I feel like there's just too much "glitter" out there, distracting them from what really matters.

As I wrap my arms around my little mermaid, I'm reminded that parenting is a delicate balancing act. Raising little humans is the toughest job on the planet – there's no one-size-fits-all manual, and what's right today might be wrong tomorrow. All we can do is try our best.

Views expressed by the author are their own