Raising children who have a strong sense of entitlement is something that parents don’t necessarily set out to do. However, common mistakes that parents/caregivers make can contribute to raising a child that feels as if the world “owes” them something. According to the experts, here are five things that parents can do to prevent raising entitled children.
Teach them to cope with not getting what they want or losing
Teaching children to cope with not getting what they want or losing is crucial because it helps them develop resilience, emotional regulation, and realistic expectations about life. Disappointment and failure are natural parts of growing up and adulthood. Teach your child to manage those feelings early on, even as a toddler, builds essential life skills like perseverance, patience, and problem-solving.
Make sure to give them chores to do around the house
Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast told Buzzfeed in a recent interview that, “Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting.”
Chores can also show kids that they’re capable of handling real tasks, which boosts confidence and independence. Instead of expecting things to be done for them, they learn to take initiative and appreciate the work that goes into daily life.
Set clear boundaries about expectations
Being fuzzy or vague about what is expected leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Set clear boundaries and expectations about what you expect from your child and there will be no room for interpretation.
Pressman told the the outlet that, “Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids. If you notice that you’re inconsistent, that’s a red flag.”
Model behavior that you would like to see from your children
As we all know, children often emulate the behaviors and attitudes of their parents. Demonstrating humility and expressing gratitude in daily life gives your children a powerful example to follow. When children observe their parents acknowledging their own shortcomings and appreciating what they have, they are more likely to adopt these values themselves, displaying less entitlement throughout childhood and beyond.
Teach your child how to be fiscally responsible
Without understanding the effort required to earn money, children may develop unrealistic expectations about material possessions. Teaching your child how to be fiscally responsible helps prevent entitlement by showing them that money has value and isn’t unlimited. When kids learn to budget, save, and make thoughtful spending choices, they begin to understand that financial resources are earned, not handed out “just because”.
By adding these parenting tips to your toolbox, you can help cultivate a sense of gratitude, responsibility, and empathy in your children, not a sense of entitlement.
