No, kids, life is NOT fair. Deal with it.

My 6-year-old is on a "life is not fair" kick. If you're a mom of a child that can talk, you know what I'm talking about. It doesn't matter what we do, somehow circumstances leave her feeling inadequately equipped to handle the situation. She always wants more (or less depending on the 'thing' in question) and compares her lot to whomever happens to be in the immediate vicinity.

If her brother happens to land in the seat in front of her favorite bowl, you guessed it: "It's not fair." If her sister's favorite song comes on the radio and I cannot magically instruct the DJ to play hers next, "That's not fair." If she has to clean the shower and her (3 year old) sister has to wipe down the counter, here it comes: "This is sooo not fair!" You know what? She's absolutely right. It's NOT fair....and it never will be.

Clearly kids are born with the inane ability to distinguish inequality, especially when it comes to something that they want more/less of. It's human nature. Still, the reality is that life is not fair. It never was and no matter how much you cry and scream about it, that truth will remain.

I realize that in between my generation and my kids' generation is a generation of kids that grew up with the false assumption that life is fair. Subsequently, they feel entitled to....well, pretty much everything. I realize this is not a popular statement, but most people in the aforementioned "middle" generation would be shocked to know that they do not have a right to a job, to health care (at least under the federal government), to a house....just by virtue of breathing. They do have a right to acquire those things...if they have the means to do so.

I hope to teach my kids that they will gain that for which they are willing to work. Work requires effort and sacrifice and it's not always fun...still, it is required. Perhaps they will be surprised to realize that their perception of their quality of life is in direct proportion to their ingenuity, effort, education and implementation of their vision.

I want my kids to know that we succeed and fail on our own accord. Contrary to what some think, the fact that life is not fair is what makes this country the greatest, most exceptional country in the history of countries. Someday, I hope they will celebrate the fact that life is not fair rather than whine about it. That someday feels pretty far away right now...