Are You Raising an Entitled Child? and how to help?
Are You Raising an Entitled Child?
It’s no secret that raising a child can be expensive. In fact, raising a child from birth to age 18 can cost more than $233,000. But what about the cost of raising an entitled child?
Many parents may not even realize they are raising an entitled child until it’s too late.
Entitled children often believe they are owed something simply because they exist.
They often have a sense of entitlement when it comes to privileges, possessions, and relationships. And while entitlement may seem like a harmless personality trait, it can actually have some serious consequences down the road.
What is an entitled child, and what are the signs of an entitlement according to science and research?
Children who believe they are more special than others and deserve to be given everything they want without having to work for it are said to be entitled.
This sense of entitlement can manifest in many different ways, such as narcissism, self-absorption, and a lack of empathy. It can also lead to spoiled behavior, such as demandingness, Tantrums, and a sense of entitlement.
There are many different theories as to why children become entitled.
Some experts believe that it is due to helicopter parenting, where parents hover over their children and do everything for them.
Other experts believe that it is due to the child’s temperament or the family’s social and economic status.
However, the most likely cause of entitlement is a combination of these factors.
Why do children become entitled, and what causes this behavior?
Some common mistakes that parents make that can lead to raising an entitled child are as follows:
1. Giving the child everything they want without making them work for it – This can include spoiling the child with gifts, money, or privileges and not requiring them to do chores or activities that other children their age are usually required to do.
2. Making the child the center of the family – Parents who make their child the center of their world and constantly focus on their needs and wants may be raising an entitled child. This type of parenting can leave the child feeling entitled and special while neglecting other siblings or family members.
3. Allowing the child to behave badly – When parents do not set boundaries for their child’s behavior, they are raising an entitled child. This type of behavior can include tantrums, demands, rudeness, and a lack of consideration for others.
4. Putting the child’s happiness before anything else – Parents who always try to make their child happy may be raising an entitled child. This can mean that the parents cater to all of the child’s demands and never say no, which can create a sense of entitlement.
How does entitlement affect the child’s future relationships and career prospects?
Entitled children often grow into entitled adults who expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.
This can lead to problems in both their personal and professional lives. For example, In relationships, they may be bossy and demanding, expecting their partner to do everything for them.
In their career, they may feel entitled to promotions and raises without having to put in the hard work.
This sense of entitlement can lead to problems down the road, as people are often unwilling to put up with this behavior for long.
What can parents do to prevent their children from becoming entitled?
Any parent can raise kinder, less entitled kids by taking the following steps.
- Show your child how to be grateful
- Teach your child the value of work
- Be a role model for your child
- Encourage your child to be generous
- Help your child develop empathy
- Don’t overindulge your child
- Set limits and boundaries for your child’s behavior
- Avoid making your child the center of attention
- Teach your child about delayed gratification
By taking these steps, parents can help prevent their children from becoming entitled and spoiled. It is never too late to change the course of your child’s development and help them become more humble and grateful for everything they have.
How to deal with an entitled child who is already exhibiting signs of entitlement?
If your child is already exhibiting signs of entitlement, it is important to nip this behavior in the bud as soon as possible.
Here are some tips on how to deal with an entitled child:
1) Talk to your child about their behavior – It is important to have a discussion with your child about their entitled behavior. Explain to them why this behavior is not acceptable and how it is impacting those around them.
2) Help your child develop empathy – One way to prevent entitlement is to help your child develop empathy. Teach them about how other people are feeling and why it is important to be considerate of others.
3) Set limits and boundaries – It is important to set limits and boundaries for your child’s behavior. Explain to them what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. If they continue to exhibit entitled behavior, there should be consequences in place.
4) Encourage humble and grateful behavior – One way to change entitlement behavior is to encourage humble and grateful behavior. Thank your child when they exhibit these behaviors and praise them in front of others.
5) Avoid overindulging your child – One of the main causes of entitlement is when parents overindulge their children. It is important to avoid giving in to all of your child’s demands and instead teach them about delayed gratification.
By following these tips, parents can help to change their child’s entitled behavior and set them on a better path for the future.
The consequences of raising an entitled child
If a child is raised to be entitled, they may grow into an entitled adult who expects everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.
Entitled adults may find themselves struggling in their personal relationships and unable to hold down a job for very long. It is important to prevent entitlement from developing in children so that they can grow into happy and successful adults.
To sum things Up
Raising an entitled child can have negative consequences for both the child and the parents.
Parents can prevent their children from becoming entitled by teaching them gratitude, the value of hard work, and empathy. It is never too late to change the course of your child’s development.
I’m here for you just reach out to me on Instagram or via email if you need help raising a kinder, more grateful child.
