Let it Bri: Glad I wasn't a child star

I’ve still got a lot of years left under my belt but I’m at the age where my Facebook feed is full of announcements about house purchases, engagements and pregnancies.

I’m quite a competitive person so it’s got me thinking about what I’ve achieved so far.

New Zealand singing sensation Lorde is only 17 years old and the stars of the Harry Potter films are only a bit older than me.

The amount of money in their bank accounts is both unfathomable and saddening when compared to the amount of money in my bank accounts.

Their lives seem pretty amazing but they have kind of missed out on a childhood.

Growing up in the spotlight would be no easy task so it’s impressive that the Harry Potter kids have turned out as well as they did.

Lorde would be too busy working and touring the world to join in on her classmates’ end of high school celebrations.

Justin Beiber’s alleged drunken drag race and Lindsay Lohan’s various escapades with drugs, drinking and rehab and too plentiful to count.

They are classic examples of how badly having too much time, money, fame, power can be when combined with arrogance and the idiocy of youth.

They might have lots of money in the bank but I would wager impending jail terms are highest on their list of worries at the moment.

So in comparison, I think I’d rather have a well-rounded, loving childhood and normal teenage years than end up rich but with a substance abuse problem.

I’m grateful for having a great family, job and boyfriend because lots of people don’t get those opportunities.

A bit of extra cash in the bank wouldn’t hurt though.