It's not so bad being in the middle

Here we are, a family who just received hundreds and hundreds of diapers from the diaper shower. Some from this lovely diaper cake above. And guess what we had to do this morning? Run to the store to buy diapers! Little Avalon still needs size 2 and we were all out. We thought we could put her in 3s, but they hung to her knees. I'm the don't know it poet.

Today my husband's sisters came to town to see Juna and Avalon for the first time. THey brought Emily, (Beth's daughter) who is 7. Narnia was in heaven. She followed Emily like a puppy and did everything Emily requested of her. Narnia is fascinated with big girls and Emily, having a personality just like Narnia's, is the ULTIMATE big girl. Emily's thoughts on Narnia, "Um, she really talks a lot."

Matt's sister Ellen is a preschool teacher. She was telling me about her experiences when she taught for a more high-end preschool. You know the kind. You wish your kid could go there, but your income is under 500 grand a year, so fat chance of even getting near the place.

After teaching there for several years, she moved to a middle class income preschool. Can you guess the differences between the students? It's so obvious. It's so stereotypical.

The rich kids had no patience, no compassion, no manners, and formed tight and bitchy cliques- at age 4 and 5. The middle class income kids had sweeter dispositions who generally minded the teachers, were kinder to the other children, and had much better manners.

We all dream of having that upper end lifestyle and affording the finer things- like the "good" schools. But how good is it, really?

Having that kind of income typically means long hours. They don't just hand you that kind of money for being a good person. Or perhaps there are nannies or other caregivers involved. Ellen noticed the kids longed to spend time with their parents, but were given material items to make up for their absence. They had everything a five year old could ever dream of- except quality time with mom and dad.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Of course there are families who can balance it all perfectly. Of course there are middle class kids who are a handful. It's just interesting to me that she saw more of the bad behavior coming from the kids who seem to "have it all."

One child from the wealthy school preschool would act drunk while shaking a pretend martini shaker, pouring drinks, then picking up a play microphone to sing karaoke. Wonder what goes on at her house?

Just think of think of this blog entry when you're feeling depressed that you're ONLY middle class. Kids need parents. They need love. They need stability. That's truly priceless.