I grew up in a very middle class area, and have since moved into...
Vandie@VanDiemen_
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May 31, 2025
~3 min read
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I grew up in a very middle class area, and have since moved into one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in my state. One thing I've noticed is that the people here raise their children very differently than most Americans, so here are just a few very general trends I've seen: 🧵
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1. Rich people use contracts with their children. This can be for help buying houses, loans, setting up businesses. It's not because they're scrooges, it's because they recognize that the power of a contract is in managing expectations and avoiding conflict down the road.
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2. Wealthy Americans tend to live by their children. They prioritize family and have the means to help kids stay close, usually through down payments on houses. It's super common to see rich kids live in the best neighborhoods within walking distance of mom and dad.
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3. They pay their kids to stay fit. I've known several families that have made cash transfers for reaching weight goals. They pay for gym and country club memberships. Nowadays they're buying Ozempic for kids. Health is wealth, and in their case and wealth is health.
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4. They travel incessantly with their adult children and grandchildren. It's hard to catch them at home. This isn't unique to rich people, but they have the means to pay for it. Second homes in Newport. Charter flights to Disneyland. A month in Coeur d'Alene.
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5. Wealthy people often help their children start their own businesses. They see the harm in nepotism, so a common solution is for children to struggle and grow through starting their own company. But it always comes with safety nets, like dad's connections or low-interest loans.
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6. If a kid is taking over the family business, it's usually because he's proven himself through education or doing his own thing for awhile. They're sensitive to the 2nd generation being perceived by the employees as not having "earned" it.
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7. My anecdotal experience is that wealthy people have more children than the average. Is it because they can afford it? Or is it because family-oriented people make more? Probably both.
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8. I think that a big part of the future success of children comes from seeing their father as an aspirational figure.
He's not Bluey's dad rolling on the floor with the kids, but he's also not a workaholic. He has a good career and civic life while making time for his kids.
He's not Bluey's dad rolling on the floor with the kids, but he's also not a workaholic. He has a good career and civic life while making time for his kids.
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9. Wealthy people, at least around me, all make their children work at a very young age. They have jobs as teenagers, they teach swim lessons, they're babysitting, they start little businesses and learn about cash flow management. The kids still do chores around the house.
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10. The stereotype of nasty rich people is mostly not true. The people I live around are pleasant, likable, empathetic, and generous to a fault. They are smart, healthy, and well-turned out. They've become or remained wealthy precisely because they have these qualities.
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The feedback to this thread already has been interesting. Some people saying I'm full of crap, some saying they've seen the same things.
I think in hindsight a big caveat is that there are very different types of wealthy people. There are certainly regional differences. I've interacted with New England rich, but haven't got an authentic look at how they raise kids. I'm sure the California Asians live on a different planet than the people in my neighborhood. There's probably religious vs secular differences, etc.
However, I'm sure a lot of these principles are universal.
I think in hindsight a big caveat is that there are very different types of wealthy people. There are certainly regional differences. I've interacted with New England rich, but haven't got an authentic look at how they raise kids. I'm sure the California Asians live on a different planet than the people in my neighborhood. There's probably religious vs secular differences, etc.
However, I'm sure a lot of these principles are universal.