8 Signs of a Spoiled Child and What You Can Do About It 

It is understandable that we parents want the best for our children and want to show them our love and affection. But sometimes, we cross the line. We give them too much of what they want and let them have too much fun that we end up spoiling our children. Knowing the signs of raising a spoiled child can help us identify it early on, so we can make adjustments in our parenting style and avoid detrimental consequences in the future.  

In this post, we will discuss the red flags of a spoiled child, what causes a child to grow up spoiled, the effects of raising one, and what you can do about it.

Signs of a spoiled child

If you are worried that you have a spoiled child, watch out for these signs:

1. Very demanding: A spoiled child may always want things their way and make demands without considering the needs or feelings of others. They don’t take “no” for an answer and expect you to attend to their requests before anything else.    
2. Frequently throws tantrums: While it is common for children to throw tantrums occasionally, a child who throws tantrums frequently could be spoiled. They might throw fits whenever they don’t get what they want and at every little thing.  
3. Feels entitled: A spoiled child may feel entitled to privileges, treats, or special treatment without having to earn it or put in the effort.
4. Lacks gratitude: If your child does not know how to appreciate the things they receive or take them for granted, then you could be raising a spoiled child. They also tend to be more into receiving than sharing and are never satisfied. Saying “please” and “thank you” is not in their vocabulary.     
5. Impatient: A spoiled child who is used to getting everything they want quickly may become impatient and intolerant when things don’t go their way.
6. Has disrespectful behavior: If your child is disrespectful and rude to you, to other children, to their teachers, and other adults, then you may have a spoiled child.   
7. Lacks empathy: A spoiled child may also struggle to understand or empathize with the needs or feelings of others, including their friends and siblings, as they are too focused on their own desires.
8. Refuses to do anything by themselves: Most spoiled children don’t want to do things themselves, such as dressing up, eating, and cleaning up. Even when they are at the age where they are capable of doing such things on their own, refusing to do stuff on their own is a sign of being spoiled.    

You need to remember, though, that some of these behaviors could be evident in your child at certain phases. However, if these behaviors persist and are not addressed, your child can become self-centered and would grow up spoiled.  

Spoiled child causes

Even with the best intentions, we could be raising self-centered, immature, and rude children. What could have gone wrong? Here are some factors that can contribute to a child becoming spoiled:

1. Overindulgence: Constantly giving in to your child’s every want and need can lead to a sense of entitlement and a lack of appreciation for what they have. This can create a spoiled child who expects to get everything they want when they want it.
2. Lack of boundaries: When you don’t set clear limits and rules for your child’s behavior, it can make them think they can do whatever they want without consequences. This can create a spoiled child who doesn’t understand the importance of respecting others or following rules.
3. Overprotectiveness: Being overly protective and sheltering your child from all challenges and disappointments can lead to a child who lacks resilience. It can result in a child not knowing how to find solutions and handle adversity. This can create a spoiled child who expects the world to revolve around them and doesn’t know how to cope with setbacks.
4. Inconsistent parenting: When parents are inconsistent in their parenting style, it can lead to confusion and insecurity in a child. This can create a spoiled child who knows how to manipulate their parents into getting what they want.
5. Neglect: Ironically, negligence can also lead to a spoiled child. When parents don’t provide enough attention or affection, a child may learn to act out in order to get noticed. This can create a spoiled child who craves attention and will do whatever it takes to get it.
6. Societal influences: Having friends who are also spoiled brats can play an important role in spoiling a child. Furthermore, social media, TV shows, and other societal influences may encourage kids to demand more than they really need and expect instant gratification, which is unrealistic in life.

You need to remember, though, that every child is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what causes a spoiled child.  

When a child grows up spoiled (Consequences of spoiling your child) 

We all know that spoiling our children is not a good thing. But more than the troublesome behavior they display now, being spoiled can negatively affect their development and the life ahead of them. They develop more unpleasant characteristics in the future, including the following:

1. Lack of self-discipline: Spoiled children may struggle with self-discipline because they are used to getting what they want without having to work for it. As they grow older, this can lead to problems with motivation and perseverance.
2. Entitlement: Spoiled children may develop a sense of entitlement, believing that they deserve special treatment and privileges without earning them. This can lead to a lack of empathy and respect for others.
3. Poor social skills: Spoiled children may struggle to develop healthy social skills. They are used to getting their way and may find it hard to understand the importance of compromise and cooperation in relationships.
4. Anxiety and depression: Spoiled children may struggle with anxiety and depression because they may feel pressure to maintain their privileged lifestyle and may not be able to cope with disappointment or setbacks.
5. Financial irresponsibility: Spoiled children may struggle with financial responsibility because they may not understand the value of money and the importance of budgeting and saving.
6. Difficulty in relationships: Spoiled children may have trouble forming and maintaining healthy relationships because they may struggle to understand the needs and perspectives of others.

How to deal with a spoiled child

If you have a spoiled child at home, you know how difficult it can be to handle them and their attitude. Here are some tips you can try to deal with a spoiled child that can help you and your child find balance.

1. Set clear boundaries: It’s important to set clear boundaries and stick to them. Let your child know what is acceptable and not. Finally, consistently enforce consequences for behavior that goes against the rules.
2. Encourage responsibility: Give your child responsibilities that are appropriate for their age. You can let them help with household chores or care for a pet. These tasks will help them develop a sense of responsibility and accountability and avoid turning them into lazy, spoiled brats. 
3. Teach gratitude:  Spoiled children lack gratitude and are self-centered. Help them appreciate what they have and the efforts of others by teaching them to be grateful. Encourage them to say “thank you” and express appreciation for what they receive. Most importantly, set a good example and practice gratefulness at home and everywhere you go.  
4. Avoid giving in to demands: Are you a parent who quickly gives in to your child’s demands to keep them quiet? This will only reinforce their belief that they can get what they want without working for it. If you don’t want to raise spoiled brats, remember to avoid this practice.
5. Encourage empathy: Spoiled children lack empathy, so help your child understand the feelings and perspectives of others. Teach them to consider how their actions and words affect others and encourage them to be kind and compassionate.
6. Model positive behavior: Children learn from the behavior of adults around them, so be a positive role model. Show them how to behave responsibly, respectfully, and with empathy toward others.
7. Seek professional help if needed: If your child’s behavior is severely disruptive or causes harm to themselves or others, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can help you develop strategies to manage your child’s behavior and improve their overall well-being.

The bottomline 

Raising a spoiled child can seem like an uphill battle, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you recognize the signs of a spoiled child, you can take the first step toward taking action. By practicing the tips mentioned above, you can help your child develop more positive behavior and attitude.  

You may also want to check out TransCultural Group (TCG), which offers fun learning courses to enrich your child’s life.