Starbucks as Metaphor

[LiveLean]

I don't drink coffee -- Dad smoked and drank coffee when I was growing up, so I can't stand the smell of either -- but I do go to Starbucks to get it for my wife. Total non-MMM thing to do, but she's otherwise Mustachian, so I get it.

Standing in front of me this morning was a dad and 13-year-old daughter I know. Daughter was dressed very fashionably from her Ugg boots all the way up. Her long hair had the lower third dyed a lighter color as girls like to do these days. She had the newest iPhone in her back pocket and ordered a vente caramel macciato.

As I silently said, "Thank God I only have boys," as I do about 20 times a day, I was reminded yet again how Americans have made luxury the norm, teaching kids that it should be expected.

God help us.

[I'm a red panda]

As I silently said, "Thank God I only have boys," as I do about 20 times a day, I was reminded yet again how Americans have made luxury the norm, teaching kids that it should be expected.

Boys can cost a lot of money too: care about the latest brands, head to toe, dyeing their hair in the latest style, and needing expensive electronics. 

It's really not a girl only thing.

You should commend yourself for being successful in imparting your values to your children; not the sex they were randomly assigned upon conception.

[galliver]

She might grow out of it. I was scared of how materialistic my youngest sister seemed at one point but now she's basically a minimalist (and I am not at all...). She's also traded her long-standing love of going out to restaurants for a love of homecooked meals.