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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We live a middle class life compared to our SIL who is upper middle class.

Our kids go to public, they go to private and she stays at home while my husband and I work.

I've never been about money but sometimes when our kids get together and talk about things, or our kids go to their house, 
they make comments such as " L has a big pool, why can't we have that?"

OR when they went on a cruise, they go yearly---- our kids hear about it at family get togethers.

It's becoming obvious to them that their cousins have more resources due to my brother's job.

What do you say about these differences to your kids?..

we love what we do, money is not important to us and neither was it for my brother, 
but he's compensated fairly well.

We live in the same city, but we do not always hangout.

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I grew up truly poor around wealthier cousins- it was a big deal because my mom deferred to her older sister and so the family dynamic was that the cousins were better than us. It was incredibly toxic and obviously, I have some baggage:)

My advice from that experience is to appreciate your children's accomplishments, talk realistically about money (what it can provide and what it can't), and hold to your own family traditions. It's important to let your kids know that you love your careers and that not being wealthy was, in part, a choice. A job you love that provides "well enough" is a good life balance.

Your kids will grow up to decide what money means to them--my DS, for instance, is growing up be quite a money hoarder- but that's okay- his personality is entwined with collecting and accumulating (rocks, coins, trading cards, etc). I've explained that if he likes money and investing, there are careers for that.

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