Amway ruined my childhood. My parents became involved with “the business” in the late ’70s or early ’80s. One of my first memories is of a first grade classmate

Amway ruined my childhood. My parents became involved with “the business” in the late ’70s or early ’80s. One of my first memories is of a first grade classmate sharing the news that his parents had “gone direct”. Even at that young age I was aware that this was something my parents had wanted to achieve for a long time, and I wondered why they couldn't - what was wrong with them? Throughout elementary school I came to understand that Amway was for losers. It was not uncommon at that time for Amway to be the punchline or subject of other mockery. So by the time I reached adolescence I had a full-fledged paranoia that friends or classmates would find out. At sleepovers and camping trips I'd have to hide my Glister toothpaste. When friends visited I'd be afraid they'd spot our L.O.C. dish soap. But the worst was when my parents decided to “draw circles” for my friends’ parents. I think this only happened a couple of times - I'm pretty sure I even asked my parents not to do it. My parents are good people, perhaps very naive. I think they are still involved with Amway to this day. I’m sure they never made any money from it, and I shudder to think how much it has cost them. Since I left home for college I don't think we've ever discussed it. I doubt they know how much I resented it.