We live in a time and place where it can be very difficult to overcome materialistic entitlement, especially for children. We have already talked about how to raise internally motivated children and today we are going to discuss this topic of materialistic entitlement. Not only are adults feeling entitled, but children are dealing with materialistic entitlement issues as well. If you have a child who thinks they are entitled to items at their discretion, there is a way to turn around their mindset!
HELP YOUR CHILD OVERCOME MATERIALISTIC ENTITLEMENT
DON’T GIVE IN
One of the biggest reasons a child feels entitled to whatever they want is because their parents or adults in their lives, don’t or won’t say no. No matter how many words are cast towards you, how big a fight it causes, or how hard it may be, don’t give in and let your your child get whatever they want.
GIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Children of all ages need to understand the value in work. If you want to help your child overcome materialistic entitlement, give them responsibility. Have your child help you wash the dishes and complete household chores, remind them that they need to learn the skills to be on their own one day. Encourage your older children to volunteer to help a senior or have them get a part time job.
TEACH THEM HOW TO SAVE
With the ease of a credit card, adults and children are able to get what they want with the swipe of a card. Teach your child how to save for what they want. If they want a new cell phone, have them save until they have the money to get it. This not only teaches work ethic, but also how to manage money.
ENCOURAGE HAPPINESS
The world is beautiful, but many kids unfortunately don’t see the beauty in what is right outside our window. Encourage your child to see the beauty in the trees; the beauty in the sunset; and the beauty in the simple things of life. Teach your child that relationships, experiences, and love are all more important than materialistic items you can’t take with you when you pass on. Encourage them to find happiness in these relationships and experiences.
Does your child struggle with materialistic entitlement? How do you think parents should tackle this issue? Please share thoughts and questions in the comments below!
Be sure to check out the books The Entitlement Trap and Cleaning House: A Mom’s Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement.
You may also like this post on TEACHING CHILDREN TO HAVE A HEART OF THANKFULNESS:
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Cheryl MacPhail
Tuesday 13th of December 2016
Thanks for the tips! One of our daughters struggles with this and I think the biggest problem is I give in!!
Carole Dube
Monday 12th of December 2016
It so hard sometime not to give in, but it's for the child best interest. We don't want them to feel entitle but to learn values!
Chandra Christine O'Connor
Monday 12th of December 2016
I always instilled in my girls that having or wanting is not as important as what they have or what they could do for those less fortunate.
kelley ward
Friday 11th of November 2016
I am struggling with this issue currently with my step-children. I require them to do household chores in order to be rewarded for extra things or extracurricular activities. However their biological mother tends to be the one to give in and try to buy them with items and money. I hope that one day these children will realize the difference and not grow up to be self-centered selfish people. I try really hard with these children to make them good-hearted respectful people but it quickly changes overnight just by going to the other parents home. I feel like every time they come back home to us the custodial parents, I have to start all over from Step 1 each time. Does anyone know how to deal with the non-custodial parent teaching the children to be materialistic against our beliefs?
Tammy
Sunday 13th of November 2016
I'm in the same situation. It's tough. I can't control what the other person does, but I'll continue to reinforce the idea of "relationships and people over things." Everyone makes a choice between materialism and pursuit of things. Do your best to equip your kids and show them the value of what you believe, and pray and hope that they will choose what is right in the end. Best of luck
Trev
Friday 11th of November 2016
Depending how old the children are maybe you need to explain to them why you are doing what you are doing. Share with them the pro's and con's of each parents action. Also try to present the cases with the long term effects of each action. If the children are old enough to understand forward thinking, maybe they will be able to see why you are doing what you are doing and may even thank you for it.
nicolthepickle
Monday 31st of October 2016
Stuff, we're so blessed in this culture that we don't appreciate what we have and that others don't. It does concern me that my kids have so much. I'm trying to teach them to be thankful and generous.