Reply to What are the classic components of an UMC or UC American childhood?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Nice house on a quiet, leafy street with other children their age to play with. I’m picturing something from a Nancy Meyer movie - a big old colonial or Victorian that has a ton of old school charm but updated kitchens and bathrooms with modern finishes.

Lots of books for every member of the household.

A piano or other musical instruments.

Parents who are home early enough every night for family dinner at 6 or 6:30.

Bonus points for at least one parent being able to get home early enough to greet kids off the school bus, give them a snack, hear about their day, host play dates, take them to activities, etc. In our house, it’s my husband (doctor with a flex schedule) who does this!

If parents are unable to be home early like this, a typical UNC/UC family will hire a housekeeper to perform the role plus cook, clean, and run errands.

Parents who value education which means a top private or public school. Parents should volunteer in the schools regularly and help with homework and projects. Parents should save for college so they are able to pay 100% of their kids’ schools of choice so they have no student debt.

Private music and sports lessons. Typical UMC/UC families belong to a country club, where their children learn to swim, play tennis and golf (at least the boys anyway, the girls might choose something like horseback riding or dance), and ski.

Vacations: the typical schedule seems to me to be an annual ski trip out West, a trip to the Caribbean to escape winter weather, 10 days to 2 weeks in Europe, PLUS 1-2 weeks at a nice East Coast beach. Richer folk will have their own beach house. At least this is what I’ve observed among the he people I know in CC, Bethesda, and Arlington.

Sleep away summer camp for tween years

New car at 16 (doesn’t have to be extravagant)

Semester abroad in college 
[/quote]

UMC parent here.  A lot of high income families don’t have two parents home for dinner by 6:30.  People with big jobs often have dinners out or travel.  And a stay at home parent.[/quote]

Eh depends on age and seniority. The older/more senior you get, the easier it is to make your own schedule and prioritize family time.[/quote]

Not all UMC or UC parents prioritize family time, you know.

My dad, for example, prioritized golf and his planes.  We had a polite, distant relationship and loved each other, but he wasn't at the family dinner table every night.

Actually, I wasn't at the family dinner table every night, either.  I was often at study groups or working with my horse/at Pony Club events.  My mom was a horse show mom and we often spent weekends away for competitions.  We were a very busy family.

LMC kids were the ones who went home, did their homework and watched tv, and then had dinner with mom and dad every night.  Maybe they had the odd school basketball or soccer game every now and then, but mostly they were all there.[/quote]

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