PYHO - Privileged Upbringing

I was going to write this post a little differently but decided against it since it would involve mentioning work related things which I try to avoid since well – I like having a job and would enjoy keeping it too!

So, I’m sure everyone has met this person at least once in their lives.

The Princess.

Had a very privileged upbringing.

Never wanted for anything in life. It was all provided to her.

Cars, education, travel – you name it.

Then something happens along the way.

Princess marries. Moves away from family.

She’s now a little fish in a big pond. No one knows who her family is.

Even scarier and more shocking – they don’t care.

She isn’t important anymore. Not only isn’t she important but her “pedigree” means nothing.

People want to know what her accomplishments are. What has she done. What is she capable of.

Princess doesn’t have an answer.

She calls her parents for advice. Her friends back home. They say – well you can always come back here.

But Princess can’t she has a husband now. She is forced to see that her upbringing may actually be a detriment to her in the real world. Out here everyone is working to get ahead.

Most have never had anything handed to them. Job security can’t be bought with your family name here. You have to prove yourself against some pretty high standards. You are in fact replaceable.

Princess’ pedestal gets shaky. She’s not as confident or cocky as she used to be.

She’s getting lapped by younger coworkers. People are getting promoted.

They are lapping her in life too, Marriage, houses, babies.

Everyone just keeps getting ahead. No one wants to listen to her stories about college, back home, her old job or shopping.

They all have their own lives. They want to talk about everything they accomplished. They don’t mention their parents or “WHO” they are.

Its weird. She thought she really was something.

And now, for the first time ever, she has to make something of herself. On her own. Change. Be a success rather than be rewarded.

Yes, I really know someone who is going through this. I’ve watched her struggle and flounder. I feel for her but all I can offer is tough love. From 8-5 – I am a hard ass professional who is going to tell you what you need to get ahead – and your last name is not it.

If you are a parent – my best advice to you is not to hand your child anything. Make them earn it. Not in a cruel way but reward hard work. Reward personal achievements. Let them struggle and let them know that when they walk out that door into the real world they are on their own. You don’t get very far on someone else’s coat tails.

To the Princesses – I wish you luck. It’s a hard, cruel world out there just waiting to chew you up and spit you out!