Dr. Laura,
As a teen, I was responsible for plenty of my own costs. My parents had very little and if I wanted more or even needed more I had to earn my own money to get it. I was the oldest and being raised by my stepfather and bio-mom with 4 other siblings. After high school, my parents were financially in a very good place. My younger siblings did not have to work at a young age like I did. I saw all they wanted being handed to them. Don't get me wrong, once my parents were financially set they helped me when I desperately needed it and I ALWAYS paid it back.
When their first grandchild came, there was a major "spoil alert." My parents went overboard, because they could. As her parent, it was a nightmare. To this day, they bail her out of EVERYTHING: parking tickets, bills, purchasing vehicles and the list goes on. Our daughter thinks we are the worst parents ever because we don't give her what she wants. My husband and I don't have much in the way of money and that really bothers her. Just this past year, she said she was embarrassed to have us as her parents. We aren't' the type to keep up with the Jones'. When she was 15, her brothers were born. I started listening to you and became a stay-at-home mom. I can assure you of this; we have never been too broke to give her what she needs. My children's wants are on the bottom of our family's priority list. I hope she realizes it's what she needs that is more important and I was NEVER too broke to give her that. Hopefully she'll come to this realization sooner than later especially before she becomes a parent. My parents interfered in the worst way and I should have kept her away from them as I have her brothers.
To tell you the truth, it wasn't until I let go of my parents that I was able to fully mature, become independent and be the best parent for my other children. Just as many other challenges in my life...it was YOU, Dr. Laura, who helped me get through it.
Thank you,
Angela
