Page 24 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 8_2023

Business

TheBrat factor

No one wants to raise a spoilt child. But would

you know one if you had one?

B Y SUZETTE WEIDEMAN

here are several ways in own way by acting out, the children • Get frustrated easily, fight, protest and
which the latest generation become spoilt. But contrary to popular say ‘no’ to most requests;
of kids stands out. They are belief, children aren’t spoilt because • Have difficulty following rules or do
Tmore technologically driven, they whine; they are spoilt if whining not respond to limits set by caregivers;
materialism seems to be growing and consistently gets them what they want. • Frequently attempt to control other
even young children have bought into Sometimes, in an effort to be kinder, children and adults, and have trouble
the renewed focus on appearance. gentler parents, moms and dads let sharing or even playing with other
their sweet little darlings get the upper children because of bossiness;
Closely following in mom and dad’s hand. It is time for the pendulum to • Have difficulty discerning between
proverbial footsteps, they ask to wear swing. One can be gentle and still afford their own needs and wants and have
Nikes and not just ‘tekkies’. How cute is children the opportunity to grow into little respect for the needs and wants of
it to see a two-year-old branding ‘just responsible, contributing members of others;
do it’? society. • Easily become bored, show very little
patience and tend to express anger
However, when your rapidly growing The question might arise in your mind physically by hitting, biting or yelling;
pre-teen is used to being spoilt in this whether your children are spoilt. • Cause you, as the parent, to avoid
way, it becomes an expensive exercise! If they show any of the following public places, always having bribes
Requests soon change to demands patterns of behaviour after the age of 2 ready and if you have difficulty finishing
and no one wants to be seen in public or 3 (www.pediatrics.about.com) they a story, telephone conversation or task,
with an angry child as this tarnishes a might have difficulty with discipline and you could consider them to be spoilt.
carefully-constructed public image. actually be spoilt. If they:
• Have frequent temper tantrums, act Spoilt children are not happy
When parents have minimal authority demanding and cannot accept it when children. They don’t learn to handle
and children continually get their things do not go their way; disappointment and often negate their

22 DPL issue 8 2023
16 DPL issue 4 2023