Your Child Is Acting Like a Spoiled Brat, and It’s Time to Own Up to It

home insemination Kit

Let’s face it, your kid is acting a bit spoiled. Yes, yours. She’s constantly whining and seems to get her way more often than not.

I get it; you’re trying your best as a parent. You didn’t exactly have the most attentive upbringing. Your parents were often distracted. Your dad didn’t even realize you played the flute, and your mom missed most of your field hockey games because she was too busy working. Sometimes she was late picking you up from practice because she simply forgot.

But you’re determined to be different. You’re doing everything you can to ensure your child is happy and feels valued. You’re always on time for pickups, planning activities, and asking a million questions about their lives. You want to enrich their experiences and shield them from disappointment.

However, we’re both making some mistakes, and it’s leading to our kids behaving like brats. Here’s what’s happening:

We Negotiate Too Much.

When your child wants something, negotiations often ensue. “I’ll buy that if you behave” echoes through stores everywhere. When they misbehave, we often say, “Okay, one more chance.” But how many chances is too many? If we don’t set non-negotiable boundaries, we teach them that these negotiations can go on indefinitely.

We Clean Up After Them.

Sometimes, we just can’t handle the mess anymore. Their room looks like a disaster zone—clothes everywhere, unmade beds, and who knows what’s on the walls. Yet, they still get to go out with friends or watch TV. When we eventually give in and clean up after them, we’re reinforcing the idea that someone else will always handle their mess. This leads to a sense of entitlement.

We Carry Their Stuff.

Yes, those backpacks are heavy, but when we regularly haul them to the car, we’re enabling a sense of comfort that isn’t helpful. Kids need to learn to manage their own belongings.

We Ask for Dinner Preferences.

Did your parents ever ask you what you wanted for dinner? I doubt it. Dinner was simply what was on the table. I remember only a handful of meals, and guess what? I ate what was served. No questions asked.

Their Plans Take Priority.

“Sorry, we can’t go; Jamie has a game.” While attending games is important, sometimes our plans should come first. Jamie will be just fine getting a ride from someone else. Plus, missing a few games might even help improve Jamie’s performance.

We Overemphasize Happiness.

Newsflash: kids aren’t meant to be happy all the time. It’s perfectly okay for them not to get their way or have fun every minute of the day. They need to learn that life isn’t all about their whims.

We Undermine Each Other.

It’s easy to say yes when one parent says no, but this just confuses kids. A united front is crucial for establishing boundaries.

We Don’t Give Them Responsibilities.

If your child isn’t helping with chores around the house, they might as well start paying rent! It’s vital to instill a sense of responsibility.

We Make Excuses for Bad Behavior.

Tired and hungry? That’s no excuse for bad behavior. We must hold our kids accountable for their actions and teach them the importance of work ethic.

We Argue with Authority Figures.

Standing up for our kids is important, but only after they’ve had the chance to advocate for themselves. When we argue with teachers or coaches, we send the message that laziness is acceptable.

Being an involved parent is great, but it’s essential to recognize when our actions may be doing more harm than good. If we let our kids negotiate excessively, avoid consequences, and undermine responsibilities, we’re enabling bratty behavior. Kids need to learn how to handle things like pork chops with canned green beans and not just their favorite takeout.

For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out this post, and for a comprehensive guide on the at-home insemination process, visit Make a Mom. If you’re also looking for excellent resources on pregnancy and fertility, Hopkins Medicine’s fertility center is a great place to start.

Summary:

Your child’s bratty behavior may stem from overly accommodating parenting strategies. By negotiating too much, cleaning up after them, and allowing their plans to dominate, we can inadvertently foster a sense of entitlement. It’s crucial to establish boundaries, encourage responsibility, and let them experience the realities of life.