Okay – I get the spoiled kid thing, and I get the giving kids too much too soon thing. I strongly believe that spoiled irresponsible kids turn into spoiled self-centered adults. BUT I know that my boy would appear spoiled to someone who might not know him, and he’s anything but!
My guy and my boy put together a really nice bike (built it from the frame up) and it was a killer experience. We ride about 4 times a week. My boy also snowboards a lot. (once a week thoughout the season) However the kids has a ton of responsibility and is homeschooled so he doesn’t get a lot of stuff.
I’m amazed at all the crap his friends have (talk about spoiled), the best in sports equipt, the newest in video and computer equipt. But they think he’s got life made because of his bike, his school sched, his snowboarding…
I guess I’m of the mind “don’t judge a book…” but also leary of the parenting train of thought “throw enough money at them and they’ll love you”
Just my $0.02.