When Poor, Parent?

January 3, 2:08 PMParenting ExaminerTerreece Clarke

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She'd rather cheer than play.

Brian Reid over at RebelDad.Com found a great blog post from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about parenting trends in 2009.

According to their findings, parents will spend more time creating a positive environment for their kids instead of worrying about giving their kids every possible advantage, including the latest and greatest in baby gear, electronic gadgets and SAT tutoring.

So when the stocks are down, parents will parent? Could this economic recession bring the end of helicopter parents and parental one-upmanship that takes place at playgrounds, birthday parties and in sports stands across America?

One could hope.

Our four year-old tried soccer because, well, she was old enough to go to the class and it was through the recreation center so it was cheap. She spent a lot of games watching the ball go by, picking flowers that grew in the middle of the field, half-heartedly running after the ball when prompted and whole-heartedly cheering from the sidelines. Despite this evidence, we seriously considered sending her to a soccer camp this summer - $80 for one week. Eighty dollars so she could pick flowers while being prompted by British soccer instructors to do something soccer-y. Thankfully we came to our senses and we spent the summer doing things she actually likes to do like karate and doodling. But the pressure to give her the best, to squeeze out every last inch of potential at four years-old was tough to resist.

The more money parents have the greater pressure to have the things you can afford, but not neccesarily need - designer diaper bags, top of the line strollers, exclusive tutors and the area's best dance instructors. The less money parents have, the more pressure they may feel to have at least one of the pricey status symbols so they feel they aren't denying their kids opportunities other kids can afford.

The funny thing about kids - all of the prestigious, exclusive organizations, fancy diaper bags, private lessons and blow-out birthday parties can never replace hands-on, full-contact parenting.

Has the recession changed your parenting habits?