My successful, happier life without handouts

Would I want my parents to buy my way into a good university or college? Absolutely not.

I’m referring to the college bribery scandal that has taken down celebrities Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. They’re accused of (and in Huffman’s case, pleading guilty in a couple of weeks, according to reports) to buying their kids’ way into college.

There was outrage that students who would legitimately be deserving of admission to high-profile schools wouldn’t get the opportunity because silver-spooned took their spots.

People see the parental actions one of two ways: Incredibly caring that Mom and Dad would use their pull to get their kids into school, or a slap in the face that they think the kids couldn’t get into school on their own.

I’m part of the second group. I wouldn’t be happy with my parents if they spent all that money to get me into the school. (Paying all that money for my tuition? Sure. But not buying my way in.)

It would be a slap in the face to me if my folks had to work side deals at the school. To me, that would suggest my parents didn’t have faith that I was talented enough to get into the school. And that would be a bigger conversation.

“Mom, why do you think I can’t do this on my own?” I would ask. I would question my parents and find out why they would be so heavily involved.

If it’s to shelter me from rejection, well, suck it up because that’s what life is all about. It it’s to make life easier for me, well, too bad because life isn’t easy no matter how much money you have (ahem- potential jail time for Huffman and Loughlin).

As I celebrate 13 years on the radio, hosting a show that I conceived in my parents’ North End basement in Winnipeg, I take a victory lap of sorts.

In that time, I have covered entertainment events in Hollywood, chatted with celebrities on a regular basis and been paid to vacation. Elsewhere, I have written bestselling books and used my natural marketing skills to get noticed as an author.

All of this has happened thanks to my hard work. There was little parental influence. I appreciate my accomplishments knowing that I had a hand in them. I didn’t have anybody opening doors for me or paving the way for my career. I did it on my own.

So, while people might have thought that Huffman and Loughlin were great parents for what they did, they’re not doing anything to have their kids learn what being independent is.

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