How To Avoid Pampering Your Children

Pampered children have always existed, but since 1989 there has even been something called pampered children syndrome. This is a social phenomenon that many parents are not aware of in their children. But how do you avoid pampering your children?

From a psychological point of view, parents can encourage and develop a series of harmful behaviors in their children by pampering them. However, it is something that can be fixed right away.

So, what exactly is this syndrome of spoiled children? Pampered children, or brats as they are sometimes called, can have many causes. Today, however, we will focus on a certain aspect: giving an excessive number of precious things to children. In general, these are unnecessary because they already have everything they need (and more) for their development and growth.

Impact of advertising

At special holidays and days, such as birthdays and other celebrations, the spoiled child becomes more and more noticeable. Advertising aimed at children is becoming more intense and more frequent. The bombardment with advertising for toys, games and gadgets is the main reason for arousing the desire of children.

We can see their arguments, children can easily believe that their happiness depends on getting just about everything. The things they see are the latest on the market, and they are so appealing and eye-catching in every way. It is quite understandable that they certainly believe that they just have to have that item.

By watching all these commercials, children can easily be made to believe that their happiness depends on getting these things. But if we give them all these things, we do not convey any positive values. On the contrary, we give them the message that this very thing is really what is most important at the moment. As a result, our children become accustomed to having everything and not valuing what they already have.

In fact, when they finally get something they want, they often forget it soon after. Why? Because they have already started thinking about what they want here next.

Signs that you are pampering your child

Some signs that may be observed in children with the following symptoms:

• Selfishness.
• Lack of empathy.
• Lack of imagination.
• Excessive materialism and zeal for consumption.
• Irritability and low tolerance for frustration.
• Chronic dissatisfaction and contempt for what they have.
• Constant inquiries and nagging about objects of all kinds: toys, electronic devices and even food.
• In more severe cases, children may develop obsessive-compulsive disorder, including eating disorders.

Preventive measures not to spoil your children

In order not to spoil your children, or turn a vicious circle, we must start with the basics. We need to control how much money we give and spend on our children. At the same time, we need to start investing in quality time just to play with them and teach them the value of money and things.

We must develop an environment where the most important thing is love. Of course, it is also important that we are good role models and do not show these qualities at home. It does not mean to say that they should not pay so much attention to material things when we, as parents or guardians, do it ourselves.

It is true that children need to play, but this activity should not be limited by toys or gadgets. They can paint, make crafts, do crafts, play in nature and use their imagination with friends and relatives of their own age.

Final recommendations to avoid pampering children

In addition to spending time with our children, we need to make them understand that material things are not everything in life. Sure, some of them are necessary, but they must not be at the center of our lives.

Of course, this must be learned in words and deeds, at several different times throughout childhood and even in very subtle ways. In this way we can give them the right message and avoid pampering our children.

There are many children in the world who are happy (or happier than the spoiled children) with much less than they have. We’re not talking about you manipulating your children. We talk about making them aware of other realities so that they can see the contrast. The hope is that they will “imitate” the children who know how to have fun, regardless of material possessions.

In addition, when they are old enough to understand, we must let them know that material things come with costs. They need to understand that it is not always possible to get everything we want. To do this, we need to start teaching them the basics of financial education.

If we have the opportunity, the best thing we can offer is a different or educational experience, such as a fun camping trip or holiday. This is much better than a long list of toys that they will not even remember later.

These experiences, in valuing precious human contacts, will give them much more satisfaction in the long run and will enrich their lives in so many ways.