How Spoiled Brats, Aka Children, Are Created
It's noon, and 12-year-old Anne is still in bed
. The house is quiet and the parents are grateful for the peace, so they let Anne "make her own hours". Staying up late is nothing new to Anne. She gets her way most of the time.What's wrong with this scenario?
I've been in many homes where the child seems to make the rules. Parents are busy with their business and social lives, so leaving the child to his/her own decisions is easier than arguing with them. Arguing takes time and energy that people would rather not spend.
So, here's Anne - deciding when she wants to go to bed. Often, not until her body tells her - at midnight. Anne also makes her own rule about getting up whenever there is no school. Sleeping until noon may be a common occurrence when Anne's parents also want to "sleep in".
Kids, who make their own rules, when no rules are set in the household, don't really become self-sufficient. They tend to take whatever comes their way, making do with what's put in front of them and becoming spoiled brats when what they think they want us unattainable.
Food, for instance. If Anne decides she wants macaroni and cheese for dinner and Mom is making a roast for the rest of the family, what happens? If Anne pitches a fit, Mom opens the macaroni and serves it to keep peace. Result: Anne grows into a demanding woman.
Is parenting getting so difficult that we leave our kids to chance?
As I watch TV sitcoms, I often wonder whose raising whom? Kids roll their eyes, slam the doors, disrespect, and the audience laughs. We seldom see any consequences imposed on them or any morals taught. There seems to be a standard of letting kids make the decisions of what's best for them. Television has long ago become the guiding influence for family routines.
Peer pressure has always been around. Friends influence our children by telling them what their parents allow them to do and then wanting the playmate or classmate to do likewise. There's an old saying, "What's good for the goose is good for the gander" but not when it comes to our most precious gifts.
When Anne's parents finally decide it's time to put their foot down and impose some restrictions, Anne is resentful. She can't understand why all of a sudden the rules change. She becomes pouty and confused.
Is this REALLY what we want for our children? Better it would be if parents decided early on what rules to impose on their children and then STICK TO THEM.
by: Gail Gupton Christmas Gifts - Top 5 Presents For Kids Baby Showers And Men Baby Gifts - Choosing The Best Gift Basket Get Ready For The New Baby! Preparing Your Baby Announcement And Shower Amazing Robotic Dinosaurs For Children Keeping Your Kids' Books Organized With Creative Shelving! Do Children Know The Definition Of Obey? The Good Things About Mini Circus Toys Is Your Landscaping Child-friendly? What You Can Learn From The Childrens Book, The Little Engine That Could Personalized Baby Boy Gift: What To Contribute To Your Young Nephew Baby Shower Hostess Gift: Indicating Your Appreciation To The Host How To Teach Your Child Social Skills