5 Ways to Avoid Raising Spoiled Kids by Joanna Teigen
From the time we fell in love, Rob and I dreamed of raising a big family.
It felt like just a few short years before we were parenting a full house with four children. Life with siblings meant our kids were used to hand-me-downs, sharing toys and treats, and taking turns for one-on-one time with mom and dad.
Like all kids, they had their fair share of squabbles and sibling rivalries. Yet our busy days as “team Teigen” meant none of our children believed the world revolved around them.
Fast forward a few years more, and we were blessed to grow our family again through adoption. The wide age gap between him and his siblings made parenting our young son feel a little new and unfamiliar.
After all, nobody was interested in playing with his toys. His toddler snacks and tricycle were no temptation to teenagers. While the girls crowded into a small, shared bedroom, our little guy enjoyed his own space with a cozy crib in the corner.
Our young son’s needs and wants were satisfied with little wait and no competition.
This new reality of parenting an almost-only-child challenged us to think and grow as his mom and dad. We wondered, How do we teach him to share and take turns? What if he becomes spoiled or selfish? How do we keep a me-first attitude from taking over his heart?
Here are five strategies we discovered to help avoid entitlement in young children…
1. Delay Gratification
2. Give and Serve
3. Teach That Less Is More
4. Practice Gratitude
5. Know the One Who Provides
.