A Letter to "Everyone Else's Parents"

Dear "Everyone Else's Parents,"

I regret to inform we may need to redefine the nature of our relationship and set some new boundaries with our kids and yours. The truth is, you're making our life so hard. We cannot compete with your extravagant parenting style. According to Kid One (age 10) and Kid Two (age 8), you are very, very cool...and consequently this had made us very, very ...not cool.

Is it true, Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," that your kids can watch as much TV as they want? All day, everyday? That's what Kid One thinks.

Is it true, Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," that you pay five times as much for allowance as we do and your kids don't even have to do chores on the weekend?! That's what Kid Two thinks.

And wow, a TV AND Playstation in EVERY room of the house? That's awesome. Bedtime at 10:00 even on a school night?! And what's this I hear?... you've never ever never in the history of their precious childhood made them fold their own laundry...and put it up!? Wow. I've got to hand it to you, Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," you really are the coolest.

Church? Oh yeah, we've heard how you don't make your kids go...simply because they don't want to. (Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," you're so understanding.) Outlandish birthday gifts, overpriced shoes they'll grow out of in two months and a personal cell phone at age 6? Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," you sure know how to make a kid happy.

And family time? I know, I know, it's tough to squeeze that in...You guys are very busy right now, you know, making your kids happy and insuring they'll have everything in life they want.

We hear that you, Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," let your kids watch EVERY PG-13 movie that comes out... because, after all, they'll all be 13...eventually. And I've also heard your kids can wear whatever clothing they want...oh, what a dream!...even if their underwear is showing.

So... as much as I like you, Mr. & Mrs. "Everyone Else's Parents," I'm afraid we'll need to keep our distance for now. We simply can't keep up. (Don't feel bad, we also had to cut ties with "The Jones's".)

True, your grass may be greener but frankly, we can't afford the water bill.


Sincerely,
Parents for A Better Tomorrow



Do you hear this kind of stuff from your kids? "Well, everyone's ELSE's parents" ...(and the emphasis in their voice is on ELSE's like they are the only kids in the state to be tortured with this kind of life that might actually steer them in the right direction) Secretly I love it. I thought my parents were mean growing up. But I also remember a time when I hoped to be as "mean" as they were...because I realized how much they loved me.