Affluent Parents Hide Their Wealth to Teach Son Financial Prudence, But a Community Backlash They Didn't See Coming Changes Everything.

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In a seemingly paradoxical pursuit of fostering financial prudence, the Original Poster (OP) and his wife, affluent parents, shield their son from their true wealth, choosing to live an illusion of modesty. When their son innocently reveals their apparent struggles to his friends, word travels quickly, sparking backlash from their community that is acutely aware of OP’s financial status.

Discovery of Wealth

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OP and his wife, living comfortably due to their high six-digit income, have chosen to shield their son from their true wealth to prevent him from growing into an entitled adult. They maintain a facade of modest living to instill a sense of financial responsibility. Their son, now 7, is raised to value money and not take material possessions for granted.

The Ruse Begins

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In an attempt to provide their son with a grounding perspective, OP and his wife simulate a daily struggle with finances. They want him to understand the importance of being grateful for what they have. Little do they know this decision will bring unintended consequences.

The Unforeseen Reveal

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One day, their son innocently shares with his friends about their supposed financial struggles. His friends relay this information to their parents, which unexpectedly triggers a community-wide issue. The unsuspecting parents, aware of OP’s true financial status, react negatively to the news.

The Gossip Spreads

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Whispers begin to circulate among the parents. They accuse OP and his wife of looking down on those genuinely struggling and label them as inauthentic. A rift starts to form between OP’s family and the community, straining their social standing.

Clarifying the Misunderstandings

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OP makes an effort to clarify his previous statements. He insists they never used the word “poor” but used “day by day” as a metaphor for responsible spending. Their intention was never to mislead their son about their financial situation.

The Shopping Incident

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OP recalls a shopping trip where he guided his son to make a responsible choice between a snack and other necessities. This was an effort to teach him about budgeting and the importance of prioritizing needs over wants. These lessons were essential to their parenting approach, even if they were misunderstood.

The Luxury Goods

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Despite their austerity facade, OP and his wife still provided their son with luxury goods appropriate for a child, including snacks, clothing, and more. This was their method to balance teaching him financial responsibility while also ensuring he did not feel deprived. This was a critical part of their parenting strategy, designed to instill a healthy attitude towards material possessions.

Doubts and Questions

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OP begins to question his actions. He wonders if his intentions, which were aimed solely at raising a well-rounded child, have inadvertently made him the antagonist in the eyes of others. The initial strategy now seems flawed.

The Forum Debate

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Seeking advice, OP shares his predicament on an online forum. He candidly explains the motivations behind his actions and asks the community for their opinions. The discussion yields a variety of responses, prompting OP and his wife to reconsider their approach.

The Decision for Honesty

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After extensive consideration, OP and his wife decide to sit down and have a candid conversation with their son. They want to clear up the misconceptions without making him anxious about their financial status. They hope this approach will alleviate their son’s concerns and rectify the situation.

The Explanation

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During their conversation, they explain the value of money to their son in an age-appropriate manner. They assure him they are doing fine and he has nothing to worry about. The goal remains the same – to raise a less materialistic child but with more honesty.

Realizing the Mistake

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Reflecting on their actions, OP and his wife acknowledge they might have unintentionally created stress for their son. They realize that their way of communicating their financial situation might have been misunderstood. This revelation leads them to decide to change their approach.

The New Resolution

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Motivated by their son’s well-being and the community’s reaction, OP and his wife decide to change their parenting tactics. They acknowledge the need for more transparency about their financial situation and a better method to teach their son about money. They resolve to become better parents. They look forward to implementing their new approach to raising their son.

Was Lying About Their Financial Status To Their Son Appropriate?

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The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Instead of teaching your kid, “You don’t always get what you want.” And being a parent, instead you’re saying, “Well, if we made more money, we’d get you everything you want.” That’s giving your child a victim mentality as opposed to a healthy view where sometimes you’re disappointed or manage your desires.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote: “Allowing your child to believe you’re barely getting by and may have money issues is a great way to give them tons of anxiety and make them worry all the time. You can teach all the lessons you want to teach without lying to your child.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person states, “They pick up so much more than you think they do, and they stress out about these things a ton. It’s obviously really affecting him if he’s telling people at school about it.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another viewpoint on the story: “It’s possible to share your wealth with your kid and still raise them to not be a spoiled brat. It’s up to your parenting skills that mostly determine the outcome of your kid’s behavior.”