When did "that" become a right?

Cell phones, soccer, McDonald's for lunch, late nights, driving the car...

My children have become confused with the difference between rights and privilages.

You have the right to live in a safe environment....be fed nutritional food and clothed (although the brand names of the clothes isn't a protected right). A roof over your head and an education.

For the under 18 crowd I think that about covers it in the "rights" department.

However.....my offsping have recently begun thinking that Friday lunch at a fast food restaurant is their God given right along with staying up late on weekend evenings, playing soccer on a Saturday afternoon and even to each have their own individual cell phone and website.

Hmmmmmm...a little re-education is in order.

While some of these things have become a habit or even a reward.......they still are up to the discretion of management (that would be Mom and Dad). They are typically based on performance....namely in the areas of attitude and education.

How do they get these ideas in their head...they haven't been overly spoiled over the years so is it TV.......their friends....society in general??? I'm not sure but I do know that learning this lesson earlier rather than later is a key to happiness for life.

Too many kids today have never learned this lesson and continue their life into adulthood with the "why not" argument looming over every incident that doesn't go their way.

Good parents have to teach the hard knock stuff too.........it isn't fun for us, or them....but in the end, it will ensure happier children.....and parents!