I was given a new car when I got my driver's license, though my father didn't post about it on social media. I lived in Beverly Hills where everybody got a new car. It wasn't a huge deal.

I could absolutely buy cars for my sons, but I refused. They knew to not ask. They mentioned when other kids got cars, but still didn't ask me. I never want them to think my money is their money! They are privileged and entitled. They don't need more.

Anonymous wrote:My 16 year old is learning to drive. That seems like the worst possible time for a new car, in my opinion

Wouldn't it be the best time to have a car with all the safety features?

Shrugs. I remember this from HS 25 years ago. Kids who received brand new cars when they turned 16 and kids who never got a car at all. I was one of the latter. We coped. And we all turned out fine. Most of the kids with new cars were fine and never crashed them.

My 16 year old is learning to drive. That seems like the worst possible time for a new car, in my opinion

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the kids in my high school who got a new car ended up wrecking it. One guy I know got a brand new Mustangs and flipped it within a few weeks of his 16th birthday. How dumb do you have to be as parents?

My favorites in high school were the ones who wrecked the brand new ridiculous expensive car for their 16th birthday and the parents turn around and buy them another new one immediately. One kid in my class wrecked 3 brand new cars within months of turning 16. Parents have more money than sense.

There was one of those at my school. Parents got her a brand new fully loaded BMW, but she was PISSED because she didn't like the color of the leather seats. Within a few weeks, she totalled it (rumor was, intentionally!) and her parents bought her a new one, this time with the interior color she wanted.

LMAO, I love it. I'm sure she grew up to be a real peach.

Eh. Good for them. A Kia, Hyundai, and well maintained used car can also be presents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the kids in my high school who got a new car ended up wrecking it. One guy I know got a brand new Mustangs and flipped it within a few weeks of his 16th birthday. How dumb do you have to be as parents?

My favorites in high school were the ones who wrecked the brand new ridiculous expensive car for their 16th birthday and the parents turn around and buy them another new one immediately. One kid in my class wrecked 3 brand new cars within months of turning 16. Parents have more money than sense.

There was one of those at my school. Parents got her a brand new fully loaded BMW, but she was PISSED because she didn't like the color of the leather seats. Within a few weeks, she totalled it (rumor was, intentionally!) and her parents bought her a new one, this time with the interior color she wanted.

Anonymous wrote:I was a Freshman at Whitman when this crash occurred and it still colors my views on teen driving.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/09/07/weeks-after-getting-license-teen-crashes-killing-2-injuring-2/f54ea36c-07a8-4b19-be9d-c340aa0bc09b/

This is just awful. So sad.
And why I won't be getting my kids cars when they turn 16. Luckily, our kids are walkers to both ES, MS and HS so car not needed for transport.

As to the mom on social media, she's screaming for attention, OP. Just ignore her. We all know those types - vapid, trying to get "likes" to fill their empty lives. Keep scrolling.

I don’t post much on social media, but what is she supposed to post? If gifts, house renovations, bragging about kids, vacations, etc is all a no no, what is left? As cringy as some of this is, what’s the alternative? News items and intellectual articles? Causes? Would you rather she posted that her kid has medical issue and they are seeing specialist for it, is this the info you’d rather people post? Or that she donated x amount to charity - but that would be bragging too, no?

It’s her life, and she’s posting the good things about it, which include the ability to buy her child a new car. It’s a safety issue, and if she can afford, why not?

Think deeply about what exactly is bothering you about her post, and why.

If these parents have enough money to buy their 16 year old a new car, then that’s all the proof I need that their taxes are far too low.

Anonymous wrote:And their mom posts the photo of the car with a big bow on Instagram. I find it gross. And of course I’m jealous that I can’t do this for my kid. Although I’m not sure I would if I could. My kid now has to go to school with other kids who have brand new cars. Ugh.

If your kid is smart, they will befriend the kids with cars so they can get rides.

Anonymous wrote:And their mom posts the photo of the car with a big bow on Instagram. I find it gross. And of course I’m jealous that I can’t do this for my kid. Although I’m not sure I would if I could. My kid now has to go to school with other kids who have brand new cars. Ugh.

This has been going on since time eternal -- people with more money than you spend it in ways that you can't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And their mom posts the photo of the car with a big bow on Instagram. I find it gross. And of course I’m jealous that I can’t do this for my kid. Although I’m not sure I would if I could. My kid now has to go to school with other kids who have brand new cars. Ugh.

Oh no! Really? This really shouldn't be tolerated. I can't imagine having to learn in such conditions. Can we all attend the next BOE meeting to see if a resolution can be reached? I can't believe, in 2021, this is allowed to continue.

Thoughts and Prayers, OP.

You must be a lovely person PP

For commiserating about the trauma OP's kid will suffer? Where's your empathy, PP? For shame.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And their mom posts the photo of the car with a big bow on Instagram. I find it gross. And of course I’m jealous that I can’t do this for my kid. Although I’m not sure I would if I could. My kid now has to go to school with other kids who have brand new cars. Ugh.

Oh no! Really? This really shouldn't be tolerated. I can't imagine having to learn in such conditions. Can we all attend the next BOE meeting to see if a resolution can be reached? I can't believe, in 2021, this is allowed to continue.

Thoughts and Prayers, OP.

You must be a lovely person PP