I have a new addiction - and it's an unlikely one.
I've been watching Teen Cribs on the MTV channel. Normally I steer clear of shows which so unashamedly display wealth but I have made an exception in this case.
A teen greets an MTV crew at the impressive frontdoor of his/her home and invites the camera crew in to view the amazing crib Mum and Dad created. The dwelling might be in the US, Canada - even Alaska.
The viewer is given a guided tour. We meet the whole family and all their friends who, understandably, hang out in droves at these addresses and are reluctant to return to their own homes for too long.
Each crib has its own special charm but they all share two things in common: everything on a teen's wishlist - and a wonderful sense of family.
Yes, there are amazing material possessions most people could only dream of enjoying: a full-size basketball court, a bowling alley or two, a beauty salon and gigantic walk-in - almost drive-in - wardrobe off a spacious pink-themed bedroom (normal whole house-sized space for most Kiwi folk), stables for multiple horses, swimming pools with underwater grottos and even lazy rivers, shiny expensive cars (lots of these teens are given a new Mercedes upon high school graduation), music rooms including multiple recording studios, huge home theatres and entertainment systems (one home boasted 52 flat-screen TVs), secret entrances to rooms, huge outdoor kitchens and lounging areas ... the list goes on and on.
The reasons I am hooked on Teen Cribs are a) none of these parents is a famous Hollywood celebrity and they built their homes specifically for family enjoyment; b) the teens adore their parents and seem to have beautiful natures, along with realistic outlooks on life; c) all their friends are welcome to hang out any time they like; and d) well, it's all about love and commitment to family.
These parents wanted to make sure their children had so much to enjoy at home they would have no need to go out and get into trouble when they entered the teen years. They are right there at home, loving life and easily supervised.
