My friends have better houses, better cars and more stuff than me...

[clarinsgirl]

Normally DS1 (10) is thoughtful, caring and quite self aware but lately he's been comparing his life with those of his friends and feels disappointed. Last night he was in tears about how he wanted an X-box1 and a puppy and because our house is apparently not as big as some of his friends.

Just looking for some advice about how to handle this as right now I would like to drop the entitled little shit off at a homeless shelter.

We've obviously got it wrong somewhere along the line and I feel so disappointed that he thinks like this. I thought we had instilled better values than these.

By the way, we live in a perfectly lovely house and DS is very fortunate.

Thanks Arf. That makes me feel a bit better and I hope you're right. You quoted above almost word for word what I said to him.

I am sure I felt the same way when I was your sons age, the difference was, I would never have dared to say anything to my mum.
I grew up in a rented flat, my mum was a widow, worked full time, and I was your traditional latch key kid. I did not ask for things because I knew we could not afford it and did not even bother bringing letters home about school trips.

Bit, although I was privately very jealous of my 'posh' friends, I never once thought any less of my mum - and I expect he is the same.

As a grown up, I can only look back and smile at those feelings now.

Don't fret, I would guess most children 'see more, want more', you have the sort of relationship with your son that means he can verbalise

Just tell him, 'yes, I know what you mean. I really want a fortnight in Barbados and a wide screen TV.'

Tooold, yes he's definitely happy to verbalise! You've helped me gain a little perspective, thank you.