[Think free or die]

Good article. We certainly see our share of over-indulged youngsters. One of the places we see it, ironically, is in our Boy Scout troop. The boys are, on the whole, a great bunch of young men. However, they seem to be overly wasteful and disrespectful of the troop resources. They are quick to throw away leftover food from camping trips which could be sent home with someone or used on another trip. We see far too many pieces of equipment broken with little concern over the cost of replacement, etc. etc. I see this as a reflection of our affluence and an upbringing in which many of these boys never experience scarcity.

I admit that our own sons have a great deal in the way of material possessions. It is hard to come up with ideas for Christmas or birthday gifts, because frankly, they have so much already. They don't have as much as their peers, however, and certainly far less in the form of consumer electronics, let alone expensive clothing. Thanks in good measure to my tough-as-nails husband, they hear "no" quite regularly. They help with yard work and house cleaning, which was a normal thing in households of our youth. In our community, this is now rare. Most of the yard work is done by "Manuel and Jose" and the housecleaning by "Juanita and Maria". Most local kids don't have a clue how to clean a toilet, change a cat box, set a mousetrap, use power tools, or start a push lawnmower. It's not good for them, and when times get tough, they'll have a steep learning curve.

[Antoninus]

Thanks in good measure to my tough-as-nails husband, they hear "no" quite regularly. They help with yard work and house cleaning, which was a normal thing in households of our youth. In our community, this is now rare.

Indeed. Our kids vaccuum, sweep, dust, fold laundry, etc. And the oldest is 5.

[NativeSon]

help with yard work and house cleaning, which was a normal thing in households of our youth. In our community, this is now rare.

It's amazing how many people don't manage their own homes... When I was young, my parents bought a good sized farm in Quakertown, PA. Besides getting out of the city (well, for few years) my father wanted us to learn how to work. I could use an ax, shoot and clean various guns and care for animals before I was in first grade.

As for the word 'No'. We were not generally not permitted to use the word 'No'. My parents taught us the only responses that they should hear from us was 'yes sir' and 'yes mam'