9 Ways to Raise Kinder, Less Entitled Kids
Having an entitled child is hard work for any parent. Of course, you want your kids to be happy and have all the best in life, but sometimes it feels like they just don’t understand how lucky they are.
If you’re struggling with how to raise kinder, less entitled kids, here are a few tips that might help.
But no one is born entitled. All babies are born sweet and loving.
According to a recent study, Children who were more likely to be entitled were raised with authoritarian or permissive parenting styles.
So what can parents do to raise Kinder, less entitled kids? Check out these 9 gentle parenting ways!
What are 9 gentle ways to raise Kinder, less entitled kids?
- Be present and offer connection
- Support your child’s independance
- Set appropriate limits and boundries
- Teach your child to handle disappointment
- Teach your child to care for others
- Give proper praise and affirmation
- Model good behaviour
- Help your child develop strong work ethics
- Teach your child about empathy
1) Be present and offer connection
The first is focusing on giving your child everything you think they want rather than what they actually need.
Offer connection and be present for your children. This means being there for them emotionally, listening attentively when they speak, and spending time together engaging in activities that both enjoy.
By being emotionally present, you are teaching your child that they are worthy of your time and attention, which will help them feel more confident as they grow older.
For example, if your child wants a new toy every time they see one, you might be tempted to give in and buy it. However, this can create a sense of entitlement. So try to focus on quality time instead.
While it’s normal for a child to want things because they are curious and still don’t have the inhibition skills needed to control their impulses.
2) Support your child’s independence
Another way to create entitlement is by doing everything for your child and not allowing them to do things themselves.
For example, if you always make their bed for them or do their laundry, they may not learn how to do these things independently. As a result, they may expect someone to always do these things for them.
Instead, giving your child some chores and responsibilities around the house is important so they can learn how to take care of themselves. This will not only help them be more independent, but it will also teach them the importance of pitching in and helping out.
3) Set appropriate limits and boundaries for your home
One of the best ways to raise kinder, less entitled kids is by setting appropriate limits and boundaries for your home. For example, you might want to set a rule that everyone has to pitch in with housework or that screen time is only allowed after homework is done for one or two hours a day.
By setting these limits, you’re teaching your children that they need to respect the rules of the house and that they can’t always have everything they want. In addition, this will help them learn to be more patient and understand that they won’t always get their way.
4) Teach them to handle disappointment
If your child is never allowed to experience disappointment, they may feel like they are always entitled to get what they want.
For example, if you always let them pick the movie you watch or the restaurant you eat at, they may come to expect that they will always get their way.
However, it’s important to allow your child to experience disappointment sometimes so they can learn how to deal with it healthily.
For example, if they want to go to the park but it’s raining, you can explain that they can’t go today but maybe tomorrow. This will help them understand that sometimes things don’t always go as planned and that they need to be flexible.
5) Teach them to care for others
One of the best ways to raise kinder, less entitled kids is by teaching them to care for others. For example, you can have them help you with chores around the house or volunteer at a local food bank.
By doing these things, they will learn that there are other people in the world who are less fortunate than them and that they should be grateful for what they have.
You can start by involving them in family decision-making or ask them to help you make dinner. This will help them understand that they need to consider others when making decisions and that their own needs and wants aren’t always the most important.
In addition, they will also learn the importance of giving back and helping those in need.
6) Give the proper praise and affirmation.
The way you praise your child can also contribute to entitlement.
For example, if you always tell your child they are the best or the smartest, they may start to believe that they are better than everyone else.
Instead, it’s important to focus on praising your child’s effort and not their natural ability. For example, you can say, “Great job on cleaning up your room!” or “I’m so proud of how hard you worked on that project!”.
This will help your child understand that their success is based on effort and not natural abilities.
7) Be a good role model.
One of the best ways to raise kinder, less entitled kids is by being a strong role model. For example, suppose you’re always complaining about how unfair life is or how you deserve more than you have. In that case, your child will likely start to believe that they are entitled to more than they have as well.
Instead, focus on being grateful for what you have and showing your child that life isn’t always easy. Still, it’s important to keep a positive attitude.
8) Help them develop strong work ethics.
Another way to raise kinder, less entitled kids is by helping them develop a strong work ethic. For example, you can encourage them always to do their best and never give up.
You can also praise them when they work hard and persevere through difficult tasks. This will help your child understand that success comes from hard work, not entitlement.
9) Teach them about empathy
Finally, one of the most important things you can do to raise kinder, less entitled kids is to teach them about empathy.
For example, you can explain that when someone does something mean or hurtful, it’s because they’re not feeling good inside. This will help your child understand that there may be a reason why someone acted out of character and that it’s important to be understanding.
In addition, you can also encourage your child to put themselves in other people’s shoes and to always think about how their actions will affect others.
By teaching your child these things, you can raise them to be kinder, less entitled individuals who are more likely to succeed in life.
What are the benefits of raising Kinder, less entitled kids?
There are many benefits of raising Kinder, less entitled kids. For example, they are more likely to be successful in life, be happier, and have healthier relationships.
In addition, they will also be more likely to give back to their community and be more empathetic towards others. Therefore, raise your child with love and kindness, and instill these values in them from a young age, so they can grow up to be happy, successful adults.
Raising kinder Teens
In teen Years, being a kind teen will help raise grades and be more likely to get into a good college.
They will also have healthier friendships and be less likely to do drugs or alcohol. Being kind leads to a successful career and a happy life in adulthood.
Also, studies have shown that people who are kind live longer! So not only is it important to raise kinder kids, but it’s also important to raise kinder teens and adults!
How can schools help prevent entitlement in students?
Schools can help prevent entitlement in students by teaching them about empathy and how to be more understanding of others.
In addition, schools can also help students develop a strong work ethic and teach them that success comes from hard work and not entitlement.
Finally, schools can also encourage students to give back to their community and to always think about how their actions will affect others.
By teaching these things, schools can help prevent entitlement in students and raise them to be kinder, less entitled individuals who are more likely to succeed in life.
