How To Avoid Raising Spoiled Children
We have all met them. Those screaming children in the supermarket who are demanding for something, while their helpless parents look on with disbelieving eyes. Yes, spoiled children who believed they are entitled not only to whatever they want but also whenever they want. Most of us are left wondering, what happened? When did the parents lose control? Keep reading this narrative article to learn more about spoiled children.
What Exactly Is A Spoiled Child?
A spoiled child is any child who seems unpleasant, undisciplined, manipulative, and with an air of privilege most of the time. They seem to put their wants above everyone else. They protest everything and insist to have their way in every situation. They regularly throw tantrums and cannot differentiate between wishes and needs.
Such children are quite manipulative. The supermarket scenario is a very good one. A spoiled child will throw a tantrum in the supermarket to manipulate the parents to get him what he wants regardless of their wishes.What Is The Cause?
Psychologically, the problem can be traced back to overly lenient parenting. Pediatric studies show that children between five and six months learn how to fuss and cry deliberately to get what they want. If parents are unwilling to take control, the child learns that they can get their way by being unbearable. As a result, the child becomes self-centered and spoilt. The longer it is unaddressed the worse the situation becomes.
Another reason is that many children are being cared for by nannies who easily give in to unrealistic demands. These children are scarcely punished for self-centered behavior. Instead, they are rewarded by getting what they want. As they grow up they feel like the world owes them everything without any consequences.
Nannies and babysitters are not the only ones at fault. Many modern parents suffer from parental guilt because of how much time they spend away from their kids. They overcompensate by spoiling their children. Such parents are unwilling to sternly punish bad behavior. Their children do not learn the negative consequences for bad behavior.
If no changes happen during the formative years, these children become selfish and spoiled brats by the time they reach school-going age. The likelihood of such children adopting delinquent behavior, like drug abuse, is high. These children are ill-prepared to live in the real world where some actions have far-reaching consequences.What You Should Do To Avoid Raising A Spoiled Child
Above all, ensure that your child respects others, especially adults. Your role as a parent is not to shield them from day-to-day life, but to give them the tools to become a well-rounded adult in the future. There is a thin line between being a loving parent and spoiling your child. The line is the willingness to discipline and instill important skills.