The Backpack

We’ve taught our children all their lives that nothing is free, and if they haven’t earned something, they don’t deserve it, and if they are given something, they should darn well show they appreciate it. We’ve stressed the need to work hard, make good grades, get an advanced degree, and a well-paying career or business venture. Don’t buy a house before having plenty of savings in the bank, don’t get married before buying a house, and don’t have children before getting married.


My little Capitalist, “15”, is probably the only of the 3 that truly understands this. Rather than just hearing the lectures as lectures, the fundamentals have taken hold.

So it shouldn’t have surprised me when he asked after listening to George Bush’s final SOTU address why he should work so hard and be so responsible when, once he’s successful, people will call him greedy and evil, and will be angry with him because he feels that he has a right to the money he’s earned and should be able to spend it the way he wants to.

“How does that make you feel?” I remember asking him. “That just sucks”, he replied.

Yes, that does ‘just suck’.

I must divulge that “15” is a political junkie, well, at least above average for his age.  Being the middle child, he is the master of the "Fairness Card" , so much so that 'reason' dictates his entire philosophy and my explanations undergo the utmost scrutiny at all times. He is also a sarcastic little beast. His humor is dry and unexpected, so when you add to the fact that he is a teenager (and we all know how dramatic teenagers can be), I shouldn’t have been surprised at this next incident:

Recently “15” asked what the backpack sitting on the dining room table was for. I explained that there was a collection going on for children in need, so I bought a backpack to donate. His immediate response was “that’s a good thing, because if it came from the government, they’d only get a pencil to go into the backpack for the same amount of money.”

At least he’s got good business sense, right?  Don’t worry “15”. Let them call you names for how you choose to spend your money. At least someone with a shiny new backpack will be pleased with your choice.