Morning Coffee With Maria

Sitting in my regular Cafe on Sunday morning I saw my old cleaning lady walk by, Maria. She is not really old, about 60 I guess, who used to work for me then had to quit because her son needed her to look after his children.

I invited her to have a coffee with me and was quite glad she accepted. A few times when I did so before, she always declined as she was permanently busy since she had the grandchildren in her charge all weekdays. I was also half hoping she might consider returning to work for me, now that her grandchildren were of school age. But no. Not possible at all. She was only free this morning because the children were with the parents for the weekend in EuroDisney, Paris.

She obviously needed to talk to someone, about things she couldn't understand, that her son and daughter-in-law earned very modest wages, hardly enough to see each month out. Yet the elder of the 2 children, only 7 years old, already has his own mobile, 2€ each day pocket money, big birthday party and tons of presents; even the baby girl, not yet 3, had also enormous birthday party, inviting children of the entire street, children the little one didn't even know. Now EuroDisney weekend, because some other children in school had boasted they had been.

Parents today give in to their children's every whim, everything but discipline. For fear of being labelled old-fashioned, that children must have their liberty, they must be allowed to follow their own instincts, do what they wish, etc.

Grandparents who had worked all their lives to have earned the time to enjoy their retirement, are expected to look after grandchildren, even some of the housework. Many don't even get the weekends off because that's the time the parents wish to have their leisure, going out and seeing friends. So the old folks once again have to stay home and watch over the children.

As to the children who are brought up with everything done for them, every problem smoothed out and all their desires are met simply by asking, would likely fall flat with the first blow of difficulty life or job puts in their path, without the slightest recourse should the parents or grandparents are not there any more.

Would I be exaggerating if I think something is wrong with today's society?

Tags:children,grandchildren,Maria

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