Wonder what I did wrong

[Kansas Kid]

My sister and I are seperated by four years, with her being younger then me. So that means that when she was starting high school, I was starting college. And since I just graduated college this spring, that means she is getting ready to head off here in about two weeks. Well because of that, my parents bought her a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero in the middle of June so she would have a reliable car for school. When she didn't get enough finacial aide to cover all her schooling (well, she just didn't get enough to cover the cost of living in the dorms) they got a Federal parent loan so they could help her out, even though they have to pay back this loan (not my sister). Then last week they got an ad in the paper about free shipping on Dell computers for that week. So they decided to order her a new computer (with flat screen monitor) so she would have a computer at school.

 

Compare this to when I started college. I bought my truck before the start of my senior year, and had two years left of loan payments to make when college started. They never offered to pay for any of my schooling (thank god I got scholarships). I was even told by then not to ask, because they weren't going to help. And when I mentioned something about splitting the cost for a new computer, they told me that an engineering student wouldn't need one that often. And if I did, I could just use one at the college.

 

Does any one else here think I must have really done something when I was younger to piss my parents off at me?

[Kania2k1]

I used to think that too, until my brother's girlfriend told me that all my brother talks about its some of the sh!t that I've done. Not that I've done that much, but it sounded kinda weird. I know it's a hard comparison, but by you having it tougher, it more than likely has made you more financially responsible. I mean, if you hadn't busted your @SS to get through school, you might not have appreciated it as much. I agree that it should be fair for both (any) kids, but your parents might have forseen you needing to learn that trait. Or maybe they just HATE YOU! LOL. Parents are a strange breed, and you won't understand them untill you are one!

[MarkD]

I know what you mean. I lack 19 days being 4 years older than my sister. (similar treatment)

[The SPEEDY]

I know what you mean.

 

My brother was assisted with the purchase of his truck, but for some reason even though I drive a much old, less reliable vehicle than he did. There just insn't anybody willing to assist me. So I'm stuck riding to school with my dad (he works there, and wont drive his car). So I'm still saving up for what I want, and will be for a while.

[greyghost03]

My sister (3 yrs younger) always seemed to get the better end of the deal when going through the same things I did too!

 

I guess she'll always be Daddy's little girl!

[k1500chevy97]

Shes the baby girl so she gets spoiled

[bowtie_pasta]

I'm four years older than my sister too. Growing up she always seemed to get her way over mine.

 

I do admit I was pretty out of control at times though. Who me?????

[frdfandc]

I'm the oldest of three (two younger sisters) Anyhoo, I had to bust my but for everything I wanted. I bought a 5.0 mustang when I was 19 (no help from parents), paid for the insurance (2400/year with very little help from parents). I worked 2 jobs and did alot of my own mechanic work on my car. But both my sisters had vehicles bought for them, had insurance paid for them by our parents.

 

But now that I'm almost 27, I can appreciate things more, because I know that nobody had given me anything. And right now, I'm the only child in the family that has a NEW 2003 vehicle (that includes my parents). So all I have to say is ................................

 

 

 

 

[bummed-n-Md]

I'm the oldest of 8.

 

My sister (15 months younger) always complained that I got everything and she always got shorted. (the thing was I knew not to argue with Dad. if he said no, walk away and come back and ask later. She would stay argue with him reinforcing his decision in his mind. She never learned, (until after she had kids of her own), never to challange his authority.)

 

Now then. My parents told all of us that they would help us pay for our bachelors (or tech school) if we wanted to go, but we would have to pay them back. In the off months, we had to work to earn money for school and our own 'spending money'. They would help with loans etc, but we always understood that we had to pay them back.

 

My parents helped everyone of us that wanted to go to college and needed help (I had the military and VA help me pay for my education. )

 

Same with car loans. My dad co-signed for my first, after that it was all on me. Same with all of my brothers and sisters.

 

My parents were hard working middle class, and blue collar. They instilled in all of us a strong work ethic. Looking back, the real benefit I can see is that they taught us the more you have to work for something the more you appreciate it.

 

My wife and I are trying to teach our kids the same values. We provide them with the 'basics'. Anything above that, they have to 'earn'. (for example, my son (age 14) is building a block retaining wall (with 1,000 "castle" blocks) along my drive way to help stop erosion. This will help him pay for some of the 'fancy' Boy Scout camping equipment he wants and games for his playstation.)

 

bummed

[R Dogg 56]

Parents are a strange breed, and you won't understand them untill you are one!

Well said

[R Dogg 56]

My sister and I are seperated by four years, with her being younger then me. So that means that when she was starting high school, I was starting college. And since I just graduated college this spring, that means she is getting ready to head off here in about two weeks. Well because of that, my parents bought her a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero in the middle of June so she would have a reliable car for school. When she didn't get enough finacial aide to cover all her schooling (well, she just didn't get enough to cover the cost of living in the dorms) they got a Federal parent loan so they could help her out, even though they have to pay back this loan (not my sister). Then last week they got an ad in the paper about free shipping on Dell computers for that week. So they decided to order her a new computer (with flat screen monitor) so she would have a computer at school.

 

Compare this to when I started college. I bought my truck before the start of my senior year, and had two years left of loan payments to make when college started. They never offered to pay for any of my schooling (thank god I got scholarships). I was even told by then not to ask, because they weren't going to help. And when I mentioned something about splitting the cost for a new computer, they told me that an engineering student wouldn't need one that often. And if I did, I could just use one at the college.

 

Does any one else here think I must have really done something when I was younger to piss my parents off at me?

Hate to say it, but maybe ignoring your family for awhile might work.

 

If you neglect to call or write them for a week (or three ), they'll worry about you and do what they can to make sure you're okay. I've had friends that have done that and everything worked out for them in the end.

 

I'm not saying that you should do it, but it's an idea to have in mind.

 

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[Elwood]

I'm the younger one. And from what I've seen my parents have been really fair one major things like help with purchasing vehicles and things like that.

 

HOWEVER, when it came to things when I was growing up it seems they softened up some by the time I became a teenager. Tom never got a phone in his room, I did. My curfew was a little later than his was at the same ages. Things like that. When it came to those types of things I definately got the better deal. They just got softer. (Or maybe they just knew Tom was a hellion and I wasn't )

 

I think that MOST of the time the youngest gets more things like that, partly because the parents have softened up and partly because he/she is the baby. But like I said when it came to major things we were treated pretty equal. We both bought our own first vehicle (even though he got to buy his from them for cheap and I had to go to the dealer ).

[RyanbabZ71]

they told me that an engineering student wouldn't need one that often

 

WTF I needed one everyday for writing labs, drawings, excel spreadsheets

[Jersey Tahoe LT]

Well since I was old enough for working papers I have aid my way. I bought my first car at 15. I can't drive in Jersey untill 17 so I had to rebuild it in the mean time. I was pating my insurance as well. Even though it was through my parents insurance. Also I wanted a moped when all of my friends got theres and my parents said no. Even if I paied for it. Then my bro doesn't want one and they push him to get one so that he can drive himself to football practice. I think it all comes down to convieniece. They try hard with the first one. And the more they have the less effort is involved. By the time you are on your third kid they don't even clean off the pasifier when it hits the ground. LOL It stinks but it is the way it works.

 

Later,

Brandon

[General Lee 01]

Perhaps they're showing you that they respect your matureness and ability to do things on your own?

 

 

I don't know who to feel more sorry for, your parents for losing all that mnoney,your sister for being spoiled, or you for crying over and oldsmobile alero.