Opposite A Trust Fund Baby

During the times I am at home cleaning up, sometimes I could not help but turn to TV channels that show these cheesy-and-will-teach-you-absolutely-nothing reality shows. For entertainment purposes, I also sometimes find myself watching "The Fabulous Life Of..." on E! Paris Hilton. The Gastineau girls. The Gotti boys. Ah, it must be fun to be trust fund babies. All you have to do is be born in this world and you'll be okay for the rest of your life. Party here and there, and let mom and pop do the rest. That kind of lifetime security perhaps only a few people can afford to have.

I am obviously not a trust fund baby, and I am glad I am not spoiled. I'm so glad that more than anything, I have nothing but pity for this clueless brood. I wonder what their parents teach them?

1. Just wake up in the morning and figure out how easy life is.
2. It is okay to buy a $150 tank top. 12 of them.
3. You don't need education, you got money already, your future is secure.
4. Airhead-speak. "Like..."
5. Be like me: clueless.
6. Roberto Cavalli or bust.
7. Shop for Ferraris like you are shopping for milk.
8. If you're bored, have your fashionable lives documented and make extra money off your own shallow reality show!

Someday I will have kids of my own and I will want to raise them far, far away from these rich and spoiled stereotypes.

I want them to develop deep-rooted values and principles that will keep them ethically fit forever.

I want them to value education like it's the mandatory way to be successful in this world. But I also want them to know that Success carries many definitions.

I want them to live a comfortable life, but I also want them to learn how to do house chores and manage their own personal belongings.

I want them to understand that not everybody in this world has the same advantages as they have, but everyone deserves the same respect as everyone else.

I want them to feel empowered to make decisions of their own about their future, and always fight for their own beliefs. In their journey of self-discovery, I want them to find happiness in doing what they are most passionate about - and gain respect for that.

I want them to develop a set of skills that can help them in their pursuit of independence.

I want them to read more books, and watch less TV. I want them to eat more greens, and less Mcdonald's.

I want them to be confident and secure of themselves, that when asked to face a big crowd, they will shine without faltering. But I also want them to know it is very human to be vulnerable.

I want them to learn about me and my husband's childhood, our experiences with my families, our "first's" - and reassure them that they need not be afraid of anything, because we have "been there".

I want them to learn how to love, and love deeply. To love their family, their partners, their neighbors - of course at different levels.

And if ever they get a chance to sit opposite a trust fund baby, I will tell them not to be jealous or be green with envy - because he/she is a lot smarter and richer in every respect.

Etc...

I have many things I would want to teach my kids in the future, and a part of me is excited in the feeling of being a mother someday. In the meantime, I want to prepare myself slowly, gain valuable experience, learn from it and make the most out of my own little reality show that is called New York City.