That's a weird quote, since both the suburban house (=good schools and, more to the point, good peers) and braces (I guess orthodontistry is intended here?) are

That's a weird quote, since both the suburban house (=good schools and, more to the point, good peers) and braces (I guess orthodontistry is intended here?) are typically for your kids' benefit. Lower chances of falling into crime, higher chances of having a good education, and better looks all mean an easier life for them. If one loathes oneself over that, one should reexamine one's purpose and priorities—which isn't to say that some kind of endless, constant giving at any cost is necessary or even a good idea in parenting, but self loathing for spending money to send your kids to good schools and straighten their teeth, if you can afford those things, seems extreme. I can think of plenty of other "tawdry baubles" I'd call out before those. They're not even really things. Very odd choices.