Am I Missing Something?

[kat8585]

Please forgive my ignorance but how old is a fifth grader???? Im in uk and not up to speed with U.S. schools.

Thank you in advance to whoever can tell me this.

She's 11.

[Treasure]

My daughter is in 4th grade and has been hitting me up for this. I tell her that I was 40 before I got a manicure or pedicure and she can wait awhile. It is a special treat but it's just that, a treat. We have our own time of doing both and she does it with her friends. That's enough at her age.

[sidthesloth]

In 5th grade,

I didn't care about inner circles.

I didn't do my nails.

I wore brown, blue, purple, pink, white, red, brown jeans with old t-shirts.

I liked playing in the dirt.

But I'm no girly girl, so enough said.

ps. If I had a girl that age, I wouldn't let her do that.

[darkest_red]

In 5th grade,

I didn't care about inner circles.

I didn't do my nails.

I wore brown, blue, purple, pink, white, red, brown jeans with old t-shirts.

I liked playing in the dirt.

But I'm no girly girl, so enough said.

ps. If I had a girl that age, I wouldn't let her do that.

I was even allowed to wear nail polish at that age! And I had absolutely no desire to have pedicures or manicures or anything...I'm not much of a girly girl either, though I will occasionally do my nails now.

[Guest LadyC]

this is just another reason why i advocate homeschooling! and in public schools, i am all for "uniforms".

how sad that these little girls aren't being taught the joy of having slumber parties where they all do each other's pedicures!

[patricia1]

In 5th grade,

I didn't care about inner circles.

I didn't do my nails.

I wore brown, blue, purple, pink, white, red, brown jeans with old t-shirts.

I liked playing in the dirt.

But I'm no girly girl, so enough said.

ps. If I had a girl that age, I wouldn't let her do that.

I get my daughter a pedicure maybe four times a year...so she can feel special and as a reward. Toenail painting does not need to be part of the experience. No one else in her school is aware. She beams with such contentment. Feet should be massaged almost every day at home anyway. It actually is the most neglected part of our bodys and yet it does the most work... I do not particulaly care just to do things for peer pressure and will not give into such demands. Now my daughter gets a small allowance and it is worth every penny she earns so she can also save and use her money. At the moment she is not a follower. She is only seven, This world is so materialistic it is hard to keep children looking at a different perspective but they need to. It is not easy saying no when other mothers are saying yes.

Your grandchidren have to know that there is a lack of funds and your daughter is probably doing without , I kknow being a single mom it should be a special time for the momto have for herself. Different age, different world.

I am trying to stop her grandmother from bringing stuff for her every week. My daughter expects it nowand I really can do want any more stuff in the small place. This week the woman took things back with her. It is not so much of a loving gesture it is more control and Let be buy you things for attention.

Another thing the schools in my district have the kids changing schools every two years so one does not find a 12 year old walking amongst 16 yr olds. Makes a difference. Two grades in one school ...21 kids to a class. patricia

[KeilanS]

I'm not a girl, nor am I in elementary school but I know a bit about these trends. Basically, kids are being spoiled more and more over time. I've noticed it in the clothes people wear, the electronics they have and even the kind of food they bring to school. Another big example is cell phones. My brothers grade 5 class has 30 students and about 5 have cells. That is an enormous amount for such a young class. And I conducted a survey in my high school which showed that 95% of students have cells (and over half have them paid for by their parents).

Kids are getting more and more just handed to them, and as a teenager, I don't think that getting everything easy would benefit me in the long run. It makes kids dependant on their parents and too used to the comforts of the world.

[darkest_red]

Kids are getting more and more just handed to them, and as a teenager, I don't think that getting everything easy would benefit me in the long run. It makes kids dependant on their parents and too used to the comforts of the world.

I know what you mean. I know someone whose parents will give him money for pretty much anything (and I do mean anything - he has his mum's credit card numbers etc and she lets him use them whenever he wants, as far as I can tell) and he just has no idea about the real world and the value of money etc. The stupid thing is, it really isn't helping him at all and personally, I think it's a terrible way to parent.

[MorningGlory]

My granddaughter is starting 5th grade. She got her school clothes, but she is also getting her hair tinted, her eyebrows done, and a manicure. The kids her age all get pedicures on a regular basis. What's up with all this? Is this the norm these days? My daughter can't afford all this, she does it because it's expected.

When I was in grade school, we got a new pair of shoes and maybe a couple dresses.

This is apparently something new; I don't know any families that are doing these things. It must be a very wealthy neighborhood.......???

[kat8585]

This is apparently something new; I don't know any families that are doing these things. It must be a very wealthy neighborhood.......???

No. I guess that's just how it's done these days.