Not all kids are brats but some are reared as such. Nothing they want is denied no matter how the parents struggle with their own household costs. The other day, sitting amongst a group of very fine ladies, the topic was Christmas gifts to give grandchildren. Most of us remembered getting one major present under the tree, usually a doll. I received one doll that I loved until I could babysit and love the real kind. Her name was Belinda and today Belinda, dressed in her red check gingham dress sits in my memory cupboard, still smiling her bisque sweet look. Her hard body wasn't plastic because during WWII, plastic wasn't allowed. She had jointed head, arms and legs. We held our dolls like mothers. Bel's eyes opened and shut and I adored her and spoke to her. She knew all of my most precious secrets and wishes. She is silent now because I think she knows far too much about how it all turned out. During this group chat, we women were faced with the cost of what children not only want, but expect to find under the tree. The latest thing one of us said, was "polaroid cameras" and we were delighted because we remembered having them and all the fun that ensued. Well, no, said the lady, they cost three hundred dollars and I don't think I can manage that what with me barely being able to pay my condo fees. insurances and taxes. Oh dear, said she, I hate to disappoint my dear grandchildren. There was silence. None of us had money to throw away and none of us worked or had husbands. We were on our own, pushing or being over, eighty. Still, we had to keep up with the "times". One person told us that instead of giving her three teen grandkids, two hundred dollars each this year, she reduced it to one hundred, due to the large levy we had to pay for condo heating boilers that would last far longer than any of us. The talk turned to how demanding kids are now, and that there would be frowns and yelling and tears if the kids didn't get what they wanted. Oh my, is that called a brat?
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