Rich Kids, Poor Parents

Are we raising successful children… or financially fragile adults? In today's culture of overindulgence, emotional spending, and constant comparison, many parents are sacrificing their own financial future in an effort to give their children "the best." But what if more is not actually better? What if your retirement is delayed? In Rich Kids, Poor Parents, M. E. Parkinson, PhD explores the powerful intersection of the psychology of money, modern parenting, consumerism, and retirement planning. Through real-life case studies, behavioral psychology, and financial analysis, this groundbreaking book reveals how everyday parenting decisions can quietly shape both a child's future—and a parent's financial survival in retirement. From expensive childcare and elite sports to cars, vacations, private schools, unlimited activities, and college debt, parents today are under enormous pressure to constantly spend, protect, and overprovide. The result is often a dangerous cycle of financial stress, entitlement, emotional dependence, and delayed retirement. This book asks the difficult questions many families avoid:Are we teaching children resilience or dependency? Are we confusing love with consumption? Are we preparing children for adulthood—or protecting them from it?And are parents sacrificing retirement security to maintain a lifestyle that was never sustainable?