If you read my other hubs you will notice I write quite a bit about parenting.  A new issue with parenting has presented itself, well not really a new issues but new ramifications of the issue, in our household over the past 3 weeks or so.  My in laws are divorced which has been my first real experience with divorce so it has been interesting to say the least.  (Yes, every one of my friends growing up are in their mid 30's now and ALL of their parents are still together.)

Anyway, my husband's family and some of the people I see now have given me a new perspective and I hope our children can survive it.  Parents today seem to feel "entitled" to quite a bit.  Now when I say entitled let me explain a little further.

Many feel that the children owe them something for being the provider.  You know going to work, putting food on the table, raising them, giving up going out every night, things like that.  My in laws have gone so far as to tell us how we should attend their reception (not the wedding) no matter what it costs us because it is "important to them."  Since when do children "owe" their parents anything?

Personally as a parent I knew when we started thinking about having our daughter that when she was born things would change drastically in our lives.  These were changes we wanted and were ready for.  The things like we don't really go out as much anymore (partially her but honestly partially money too), personally I spent 2 years in survival mode Iam not sure how my husband put up with me, but he did, but these are things you never know going in, but when you have unprotected sex you know that a child is a potential outcome of that choice.

Does that mean that I am entitled to make her do my every whim?  Or continue that hold as she gets older?  I don't think so.

This entitlement issue is part of why our economy is in such dire straights.  Many don’t take responsibility for their actions and feel that they are owed something for bad choices they made.  The catch 22 here is if they are not given what they want (and often if they are) they take it out on the children.  Entitlement has gone so far that we glorify those who know how to abuse the system.  Just look at Octomom.  She is now and has been the whole time (even during the insemination process) unemployed with 6 other children living off welfare.  So who do you think will be paying for the other 8 that she just had? 

You may say that what they do has no effect on you but you would be wrong.  Where do you think your taxes go?  So if you have a job and pay taxes all of these "entitlements" that the government feels everyone is owed (except you because you make too much so you can afford to put money in) comes from your check on a weekly basis.