I must have done something right

[freedeal]

School is coming to an end in just a few weeks. My teenage son goes out of zone to a school that offers an International Baccalaurate program. He would like to study in Euorpe somewhere at some point so he feels it is important for him to get this diploma. This program is located in one of the poorer areas to balance the school. Most of the kids who attend this program are zoned for a very predominant upper class school.

Well the other day my son announces that 7 of the 12 kids in his "group" are leaving and going to West ( the rich school). After freezing for a second, I thought he was going to tell me he was transferring too, I calmly said "and have you made a decision to go to West also". His response was, "I have no desire to go there. I don't have the time to worry about making sure I have the latest greatest clothes, car, gadget, or whatever new comes along. I would rather stay where I am and focus on studying and not who got the new Mercedes."

We then began to talk about what car he would get. He will be getting a car in about 6 months. He said an older Civic or Accord would be great for him. This is a big deal because many kids get NEW EXPENSIVE cars when they learn to drive. As a matter of fact, when I went to West many years ago, I got a new Toyota Corolla and my car was cheap compared to many of my friends.

I am so proud.

[Lorri]

You have every right to be proud! Way to go! Congratulations!

[littlemotherhaywood]

That's awesome!!! You've done a wonderful job teaching your son what is truly valuable.

[Darlene]

Smart boy you have there.

[ama]

You are indeed raising him on the right path. And good for him for staying strong against peer pressure. You must be so proud!

[PrairieRose]

Sounds like he's got a great head on his shoulders. WTG mom,

[Buckeye5]

He is definitely on the right path to success already, kudo's MOM, you done well!!!

[banana]

Sound like you have a very bright boy there! You have done a great job teaching him!

[frugalfarmwife]

CONGRATS!! You've done a WONDERFUL job raising him!!!

kj

[UPSyours2]

". His response was, "I have no desire to go there. I don't have the time to worry about making sure I have the latest greatest clothes, car, gadget, or whatever new comes along. I would rather stay where I am and focus on studying and not who got the new Mercedes."

Wow! You've done a great job raising your DS, knowing what is more important & not just the trends!

I have gone through a similar experience in High School since I went to a HS where they're were lots of rich kids, some even get dropped off in limo's. If you didn't dress like them, etc. the smoking crowd, you didn't fit in!

I mean it was more of a fashion show everyday, someone would be watching what everyone else bought & if there labels weren't the same a few days later the kids were all in competition. I remember my Dad took me shopping for new school clothes & I bought these new corduroys named Poor Little Rich Girl & they looked very similar to Calvin Klein's design on the pockets.

So I didn't care what anyone thought if they were going to be my friend's or not because of what I wear/have then they were truly not my friends!

Surprise I went on a shopping spree w/my Uncle Joe for my Birthday to the jeanery (where everyone bought the more expensive brands jeans, etc.) He'd let me buy whatever I wanted. I got a pair of JORDACHE jeans & I
bought one of those LEE Corduroy Jackets w/the fleece lining I really liked it & the price tag was about $70 when I wore it to school this one girl who was a brat & thought she had what no else could afford to buy, etc. She saw me w/that jacket & told me I wasn't allowed to wear it since she has the same one!

I was shopping w/my best friend Kristel @ the flea market & we saw her there she was selling baby clothes since her parent's sell stuff @ the flea market!

It took her a few years to realize it's not what you have, since she was a spoiled brat! I also had the same LeSportsac bag to tote all my school books in & she had the same one also! We actually used them as a huge purse & just carried our books to class in our hands, but when leaving school packed them in the bag!

She wasn't a real friend but she talked to me, got over being mad, etc. since she thought I didn't fit in until she really got to know me & I always remembered her birthday A few years later we were in some of the same classes too! Her best friend who was also in my religion class told her, she shouldn't be mean to me! I suprised her after HS & called her on her Birthday & then she told me she went away to College & was just visiting her family & gave me her phone number it's in another state the college she was going to!

My 1st car DH bought me a 1969 semi-automatic VW Bug on Mother's Day & taught me how to drive it when I was 20 & was also my roadtest car for my license

[my4littlebuffaloes]

It sounds like he knows exactly what is important in life and you should be proud for helping him get there. BTW my dh teaches the IB history classes where he works. It is a great program!

Jennifer

[ewokgirl]

Your son sounds like an intelligent, well-rounded young man! Congrats, Mom!

[freedeal]

Thanks for all the compliments. He really is a quite a young man.

[Nada.Leona]

You have every right to be proud. What you have in your home is a smart, confident, goal-oriented young man who has just proven how mature he is for his age. I only wish the guys in my high school had been half that bright. We lived in a tiny tiny TINY community (think of it this way: the closest we got to shopping was a drug store ) and we had one guy in our class who used to drive around in his I-Roc for hours through town just to show how cool he was. Another guy made a big deal and boosted his confidence because he got a speeding ticket -- that was not a joke!!! He was proud of himself for getting a speeding ticket.

[frugalnana]

Great job on raising your son. Its nice to see a young man not getting caught up in who has what or the designer clothes and realizing education is very important. Way to go.