What the Hell are we Teaching our Children?!?

I'm sorry for the use of vulgarity in my post title, but I'm not exactly sure how to start this post.  I'm angry, which usually doesn't bode well for me when I'm trying to write a blog post that makes any sort of sense.

I saw something on Facebook that actually kept me up stewing about it.  (Of course, I'm typically up anyway, but I digress).  A mother was ranting about school supplies, and she was beyond frustrated at how on earth it was possible for one child to actually need ALL the things that were on the list of required items.  I get it; school supplies are expensive.  I'm shocked every year at the amount of money we spend to cloth and prepare the boys for school (thank goodness I have amazing parents that help us out with shoes and clothes or we'd REALLY be in the poor house).  But it really is amazing how paper, pencils, notebooks, binders, crayons.......all add up.  I can honestly say that I have been guilty of perusing the school supply aisles at Staples and muttering, "Are you serious?!?" under my breath a time or two.

But the thing is, I'm pretty darn lucky - and so are my kids - that we can walk up and down the aisles of all the stores, and we can essentially pick out and purchase whatever they want.  They can get a brand new backpack every year if they so choose, as well as every single thing on their supply list, plus new clothes, and shoes.

Anyway, the point of my post here was that Facebook thread.  This is that part that really pissed me off.  It didn't end with a simple complaint about how much money was spent on supplies.  This mother went on to say that she was going to write her child's name on "every single thing", so that when one of the other kids used it, they would "know who to thank".  Wait....what?!?

There are children who arrive to school on the first day empty handed, and WELL aware of it, as they watch their classmates traipse in wearing new clothes and shoes, shouldering a brand new backpack, with grocery bags overflowing with supplies that they proudly hand over to the teacher as they walk into the classroom.  I would be willing to bet that the child who quietly sits at her desk on the first day without a single glue stick to contribute to the pile didn't come to that decision on her own.  But sure, let's make sure that she's even more aware that she's using something that isn't hers by putting our name on everything that is OURS with the expectation of receiving credit for our "generosity".

What is this "What's mine is mine" mentality teaching our children anyway?  Is this going to be the line of thinking for future generations.  I realize that people who aren't willing to do their part are a drain on society.  But why is it so hard for some people to understand that IT IS NOT THE CHILD'S FAULT.  The sad truth is that deadbeats do exist, and sometimes they procreate and that poor child didn't get a choice in the matter when they were brought into this world.  The least we can do is make it a little easier for them if we are able to.