My son recently asked me, “mum, are we rich?”
It’s a tough question to answer, and doing it diplomatically is also something that poses a challenge.
We certainly aren’t on the poverty line when comparing ourselves to others in third world countries,
and even comparing ourselves to people in our own country too. I would consider us to be in the
working-class zone – both of us have to work to pay our bills, but if we play our cards right, we
usually have enough at the end of the month to have a play or enjoy a few luxuries.
Given that I recently closed a business means that our future is not as bright as it could have been.
We were hoping to invest in property, but alas this ‘dent’ means that our plans are on hold for the
near future.
Having said that there are lots of other people out there driving fancy cars and going on amazing
holidays. I’m not to know if they’re up to their eyeballs in debt, or if they are simply so
loaded that they could easily wipe their noses with $50 notes...........plus it’s not any of my business if
they do.
What I do know is that everyone has their own currency. It’s something we’re taught as parents
when ‘negotiating’ with our darling offspring. Some kids love a certain type of food, some enjoy
their books. Mine, like many others I suspect, are serious screen addicts, which makes it easy
to ‘seal the deal’ when making agreements with them.
“If you don’t put out the rubbish you can’t play on your ipad after tea.”
“Don’t talk back to me, that’s 10 minutes less screen time for you, young man.”
“Your room looks like a bomb has gone off, maybe if you clean it up you might find your PS3”
But the more I think about it, the more I think that EVERYONE HAS A CURRENCY. Some of us love
time alone to read a freshly delivered magazine. Some enjoy a bike ride with the kids. My darling
hubby enjoys uninterrupted football games (I’m not alone with this, am I girls!?!!) If he is watching
the game, I will simply amuse myself because there’s just no point getting through. I love him to
bits, but it’s taken a while for me to work this out!!
So................what’s your currency!?!!
I know mine without even thinking about it........................ART SUPPLIES!!!!!
Give me a thousand bucks and a shop full of things to make and it would be the best day of my life
HANDS DOWN!! (sorry boys, it’s a close second, but your births were amazing but PAINFUL AND
LONG!!)
And it doesn’t have to be a particularly famous supplies shop – I’m just as happy at a recycling centre
or small fabric shop. Just give me the opportunity to make something from something completely
random, and I go a bit weak at the knees!!!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on what makes you stop and pay attention too!
