Dear amazing parents, today is another Tuesday. If you have been following me you already know that I share parenting tips every Tuesday on this platform and on my blog.
Today’s post is very personal to me because I think I am guilty of this.
I still find myself doing things for my youngest son, the things that he is capable of doing himself just to keep him happy. (He will turn 21 next month)
Dear parents, when we drop everything to help our kids avoid unhappiness or disappointment, we teach them that their happiness is a top priority. Kids develop the entitled “What’s in it for me?” attitude whenever they’re asked to behave or show kindness. And when they face life’s setbacks, like not making the team, they’re unable to cope.
I am sharing this so that you won’t make the same mistake as I did!
And if you have been overindulging your child please stop now before they are teenagers or young adults in my case.
Because trust me if you don’t it may be hard to change them when they are in their teens.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing with helping your kids out sometimes. But when we do it often and it becomes a normal thing then that’s not going to help them in the long run.
As a parents and an educator I see the signs of entitlement in my son and some of my students.
I see kids who won’t lift a finger to help out, who think the world revolves around them, who rarely show appreciation and empathy.
So let’s use this scenario,
You are in a grocery shop and your kids use to ask for your phone and you always give it to them because you don’t want them to cry.
Maybe talk to them before leaving home and say this , “You’re really growing up, and I’m confident you can make it through the grocery store without my phone.”
Then, help your kids develop some strategies for overcoming difficulties large and small from having to sit quietly through their uncle’s wedding to raising their maths grade.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD:
Give kids what they are entitled to: your love and undivided attention every day.
Simply spend at least 10 minutes a day individually with each child, on their terms, doing whatever they want to do during that time.
Commit to it on a daily basis, and you can watch entitled behaviors melt away.
Your kids will stop trying to get your attention in negative ways (like tantrums and negotiating) when they know they’ll get it in positive ways.
My final thought 💭
It’s tempting to give children everything, but sometimes saying no is an act of love.
Model the Behavior You Want to See:
If you practice gratitude, kindness, and responsibility, your child is more likely to follow your example.
Entitlement can be corrected with consistent parenting. The goal isn’t to deprive children but to raise them to be grateful, responsible, and well-rounded individuals.
Do any of these signs resonate with you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Happy parenting 😊
Olu 😊
Positive Parenting With Olu 