Material Conversations

Once upon a time, the kids were happy with coins.

Madonna once sang, “Everybody’s living in a material world”. The song rings in my head each time the kids point out that their friend’s parents drive an Audi or BMW, or live in a palace – and it does seem like all the other parents have big continental cars, stay in huge mansions, and go on exotic European holidays. They then proceed to ask why we don’t buy the same car, or a house with a swimming pool.

At first, it was just curiosity in their voices. Like, Isn’t it strange that you didn’t opt to stay in a bungalow? How odd that we didn’t choose a home that has enough space for a soccer pitch. “Why don’t we just buy a big huge house”, they would ask innocently. “And a nice red Ferrari too!” But nowadays, the envy in their eyes and voices betray their thoughts. “So good …”, “Wah, I didn’t know my friend was so rich … so good”.

And here we are driving in our little Toyota with no cruise control and a noisy engine. These are the teachable moments which American parenting experts like to talk about, but I’m not quite sure what to say. “We can’t afford it”, I blurt out, “Mummy’s not working and the three of you keep wanting to eat expensive Japanese food.”

They keep quiet for a while, and then Amber offers, “Daddy! I have fifty dollars in my money box. I’ll lend it to you”.