HOW TO AVOID RAISING AN ENTITLED CHILD

All parents want the best for their kids, but our loving attempts can sometimes do more harm than good. Overindulging and overpraising kids won’t do them any favours in the long run. Here are a few strategies to help put things in perspective.

1 REGULAR DOSES OF VITAMIN N “There’s a lack of vitamin N these days – vitamin No,” says US-based psychologist John Rosemond.

Kids who are overindulged often end up being fussy and demanding. “They’re never happy with what they have, they always want more. Parents need to understand it’s okay to say no to their kids sometimes – in fact, it’s vital. And kids have to know that you can’t be swayed,” says Nikki Bush, author or Future-proof Your Child. that they respect boundaries and authority.

Children learn by example, Bush says, so be careful of inadvertently teaching your child that it’s okay to disrespect adult authority. If you have a problem with your child’s teacher, for example, handle it privately – don’t discuss it in front of your child and undermine the teacher’s authority.

3 GIVE THEM CHORES Rather than letting your kids veg out in front of the TV while you slave away, get them to help around the house.

“Getting children in the habit of pitching in with daily household chores not only encourages them to step up and do their part at home, it gives them the skills they need to achieve a successful future,” says Janice Holsinger, US-based parenting and childhood education expert.