Hello steemians, and welcome back to my blog!
This time I was talking to my little niece, she is about 8, hoping I can get some kids "wisdom" and some new discoveries.
I love talking to children and really old people, they always teach me something new. There is something so simple and logical in the way kids think, and they almost always make me re-think some things.
This time I was hoping to have some conversation about school and friends, I'm interested to know how she feels in class, in the playground, with other kids. But to my (obvious) surprise all she wanted to talk about is iPhone 7.
Now, don't get me wrong, I've heard of every phone there is, I keep up with technology, but it was never something that was on my "priority list". And it got me interested to hear why is that phone so special. She told me she needs it to have friends.
And naive me thought: "Oh, you mean to keep in touch, call, text etc..?", but the answer shocked me: "No, to be popular and to make friends"
I am really bad at covering my reactions, and she could see that I was confused so she even tried to convince me that it is a right decision: "But aunt, you look so happy all the time, and have friends, it's because you have money and everyone have to like you. So, I want that phone and when I get it people will think I have more money and they will love me".
I was broken and sad at the same time. I tried to explain that I had no money growing up, no phone, or expensive things and I was happy just as much. I don't have a lot of money now, I always have enough! And the reason somebody loves you has nothing to do with money, they should love you because of your personality, but they don't have to.
Now she was the confused one, and we talked for two more hours on the subject. And the odd thing was, she was listening to me and I was listening to her. We had a desire to understand each other better, but somehow I don't think she fully understood my good intentions.
Maybe I am wrong, and as always I leave a room for it to be my mistake and something I have to work on.
I had a great childhood, that made me the woman I am today, with all it's ups and downs. And I am very happy that money and material things never had much value to me.
What do you think? Am I just getting old and outdated? :)
With love,
Tamara