Comments on: Are you an ATM parent? Am I an ATM parent?

By: Great Financial Thoughts « Life of Younkin

Great Financial Thoughts « Life of Younkin — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:28:53 +0000

[...] ATM Parent [...]

By: Tina B

Tina B — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:48:45 +0000

An ATM Parent makes sure their child wins every school sales competition by either selling all of the candy or buying it all themselves. They also assure victory on any walk-a-thons by making large pledges themselves.

Everything has a pricetag for an ATM parent. If the child is not compliant it is your fault because the prize wasn’t big enough. Grades, goals, shots, dental visits, medicine,…

An ATM child has no idea what it is like to live with any sort of physical flaws. They don’t have to endure pimples, crooked teeth, or moles. Their parents rush them off to be “fixed” at the first sign.

By: Will it ever stop raining | The Wisdom Journal

Will it ever stop raining | The Wisdom Journal — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:05:19 +0000

[...] Are You An ATM Parent? Am I An ATM Parent? This one hurt. If you’re a parent, you REALLY need to read this post. Ouch. [...]

By: MLR

MLR — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:11:44 +0000

I run into people all the time and think “Wow, you are #$# spoiled!”

Now I know what to call their parents.

Most of those descriptions are spot on, too, in re: to the designer jeans and fake tans and whatnot.

Hopefully one day they learn financial responsibility!

By: dramon

dramon — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:27:32 +0000

During high School my son was expected to pay for most items himself when he worked; he had is own checking account and was responsbible for it himself. During his first year of Engineering college, we are paying for most reasonable expenses. Personally I struggled with this, but my goal was to have the first year be successful. The expectation is that subsequent years he would be expected to have a job and to contribute to expenses. The accountability is grades. Bad grades = no money.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:44:06 +0000

man oh man- how timely is this? I used to be an ATM parent, and I am trying hard to undo the damage I’ve already done. Sigh. I do agree that I’ll give almost anythign for my kids, and go without for myself. GOtta work on that one, too!

By: Stew

Stew — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:44:56 +0000

Travis, that is a funny story and the timing could not be better. Thanks for sharing.

Weakonomist, I think there are many ATM parents who do struggle financially – certainly not all – but many pass along their poor financial habits to their children. I have observed that many of them look well-off, but they are sometimes sitting on a pile of debt.

By: Travis @ CMM

Travis @ CMM — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:46 +0000

Funny that you posted about this. Yesterday at church we showed a video of kids of all ages answering the question what is a mom.

Most kids gave typical answers, they take care of you, feed you, read you books, etc.

But one of our teenagers answered “My mom is an ATM that I can go to whenever I need money.”

Classic. Got great laughs from the congregation.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:17:54 +0000

I am most definitely not an ATM parent and my parents weren’t either. I say no to my kids on a regular basis. The don’t lack for anything but they aren’t spoiled either. My kids have started to tote the mantra, “that’s not a need it’s a want”.

You are correct that there is no such thing at an ATM grandparent. I had a nice giggle about that one. My husband and I have conceded defeat when it comes to the grandparents spoiling our kids.

Good post by the way.

By: Baker @ ManVsDebt

Baker @ ManVsDebt — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:27:29 +0000

My parents definitely fell into the description. We weren’t regularly spoiled with large purchase, but could nickel and dime them to death if we really wanted.

Luckily, my 13 month old can’t yet ask for money, but I’m not sure she’s going to like the response when she’s old enough to. Who knows?