A few weeks ago, I noticed my kids had adopted the phrase “Do I have to?” as a response to almost every request I made. It was as if they thought I would reply, “No, sweethearts, you don’t have to. You’re my precious little angels, and you can just lounge around and eat ice cream all day.”
This attitude surfaced whenever I asked them to tackle simple tasks like picking up their clothes, practicing their instruments, or getting ready for bed. Their complaints would emerge as a whiny drawl that could make any nearby dogs howl in sympathy, while I felt my resolve crumbling. I stared at them, baffled at how I had raised such entitled children who couldn’t manage everyday responsibilities.
“No, you don’t have to do anything,” I’d retort. “Just like I don’t have to resist spending your college fund on new shoes.” This usually earned me an unimpressed eye roll, but they’d begrudgingly complete the tasks, dragging their feet as if I were asking them to donate a limb. It was both frustrating and exhausting to witness.
Since their infancy, I have been determined that my children would not become spoiled. I was never going to be their maid; they would learn to manage for themselves as soon as they were able. I envisioned them as capable and courteous members of our family. They would pour their own drinks, load the dishwasher, and contribute positively without complaint.
Yet, here we were, confronting the harsh reality that our kids were acting like spoiled brats, and we had to accept our role in this development. I think it began when we relaxed our rules about screen time. We got lazy as parents. Instead of urging them to go outside after school, I found myself allowing them a few minutes to unwind, which spiraled out of control. One day, I caught my son attempting to navigate the stairs while watching a movie on his iPad—he was too absorbed to even pause for safety. This marked the period when the dreaded “Do I have to?” crept into our lives, and they began neglecting basic manners like saying “please” and “thank you.” Every interaction turned into a power struggle, and I was utterly drained and incredibly frustrated.
This is the challenging side of parenting—the necessity of getting things done. Kids are delightful and full of joy, but the real challenge lies in teaching them how to mature and behave appropriately. When they act spoiled, it’s not only embarrassing to take them out in public, but it also dampens my enjoyment of those outings.
So, we held a family intervention. We recommitted to monitoring screen time and revisited our expectations. We explained that if they wanted to continue enjoying the perks of life—like bacon and love—they needed to step up.
I jest about the bacon, of course; we always keep the bacon flowing. But truly, parenting is an investment of time and effort. I understand the resistance to doing things immediately when someone asks, but it’s essential to respect the needs of everyone in the family. The work put into parenting is worthwhile when you reach a point where you can genuinely enjoy your children without feeling the urge to strangle them with their own abandoned jacket. They, in turn, get to experience a more peaceful home without constant admonishments.
I am committed to putting in the necessary work to ensure we don’t raise entitled children. I hope you’ll join us in this endeavor. For more insights on the topic, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. Also, if you’re looking for information on artificial insemination, visit Cryobaby, they are an authority on the subject. For additional tips, you can also explore other posts on our blog here.
In summary, if your wonderful children start displaying entitled behavior, it may be time to step back and reassess your parenting strategies. By setting clear expectations and being consistent with responsibilities, you can help them grow into considerate individuals.