It’s a sad phenomenon.
Identity: Teenagers use brands to express their personality and the image they want to project. They may choose brands that align with their self-concept, the groups they belong to, and the characteristics of others who wear those brands.
Social approval: Teenagers may buy luxury brands to gain social approval and to convey their self-identity.
Self-esteem: Some studies suggest that purchasing luxury goods can help people maintain or boost their self-esteem.

This makes me sad. Kids can be so cruel sometimes and at that age all kids want is to fit in and be accepted. I definitely understand wanting to protect your child from being hurt as seeing your child upset is heartbreaking but it’s even more important to teach self confidence and resilience because you can’t always solve their problems.

So mean of the other children to bully your daughter. But you are quite right in blaming the parents. Children have to be taught to be nasty and to hate – it doesn’t come naturally.

I’m glad to say at my school the people who did the teasing would have been the one’s in trouble. Not everyone can afford the expensive brands

It’s such a shame, unfortunately I remember a similar thing in school with activewear for sport, had to be a particular brand. I am hopeful I can teach my kids to be kinder, so difficult to gift nice things but keep the humility.

This is American … they appear to be all the rage at the moment in the US … but someone has tested them and apparently, they have lead in them or in the paint used and so they are being investigated to make sure they are safe. Once again people going nuts over something that next month will be moot. Fashions come and go, but bringing your children up the right way is what matters not something that will disappear a short while after you waste money buying it due to ‘fashion’.

Kids can be so nasty! It is tough trying to teach your own the importance of being strong, kind and courageous

I’ve often said the greatest challenge to parenting is other parents. It’s all good and well to teach your children resilience (which we very much did), but kids behaving so badly and entitled is learnt.

This would also be a good opportunity to empower her daughter to not cave in to the ridiculous bullying, but to be able to stand up for her own values.

Nothing changes does it. When I went to school, we were bullied for not having the right brand of jeans and that was 50 years ago. Unfortunately, kids are cruel and if you don’t fit in, you’re bullied. Which is very sad.

I can understand this, I went to a private school where all the other kids had name brand shoes. They didn’t tease me for not having them but when everyone else has them, you just want to fit in. It shouldn’t be that way, but unfortunately it is.

This is reaching levels of absurdity.

It’s all happening before high school now with the keep up with the Jones, brand named items are cool senarios seems the kids are growing up quicker than we were. This type of thing didnt happen till high school when I was young. It’s very sad a 9 year old wants a cup for Christmas in the first place, a school drink cup is a necessity and should not be a present. Sure I’d do the same thing I’d buy one for my kid to fit in they last ages too.

Never heard of a Stanley cup. 80 dollars for a cup that’s over the top.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 30 Jan 2024 , 4:29 am

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  We refuse to go with trends for a number of reasons; it is a slippery slope when you start on that track.

Parents need to be role models and not be pressured by unkind words and actions of bullies of all ages. Some people will consume brands and will follow the ‘pack’ to fit in. Teaching children the skills of how to manage bullies and how to not follow the ‘pack’ is so important and needs to start at a young age.

Who can afford or would want to buy these ridiculous items? Even getting a fake one is playing into it. Bullying is at an all time high and parents need to be aware of how their children are behaving. Sadly, nowadays, many are earning this from their parents.

I don’t think giving in to the bullies is the right approach. Although I understand the impulse to protect your child.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 29 Jan 2024 , 8:05 am

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  Yes I agree, it doesn’t solve the problem

How ridiculous! parents spending $70 on a cup for their kids just cos some other kids have one. Be brace, stand up and buy what YOU like, what YOU can afford. I’ve never been a slave to trends and can’t understand why others are so easily lead

This is just horrible. People (parents) do need to bring their children up knowing that labels are not everything and bullying someone because they don’t have the original is not on. This kind of behaviour is world wide.

I do agree that you don’t always buy the expensive stuff, because it’s not a “need”. And that it starts with parents… but I’m not sure going out to buy the expensive cup is the right solution, TBH.