Parents face entitled kid epidemic because children won’t hear ‘no’ enough

PARENTS are facing an entitlement epidemic thanks to a generation of children who don’t hear the word “no” often enough, according to ­experts.

Mum Amy is eager to please her daughter Annabelle. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

PARENTS are facing an entitlement epidemic thanks to a generation of children who don’t hear the word “no” often enough, according to ­experts.

Herald Sun parenting columnists Sacha Kaluri and Sonya Karras, founders of the Australian Teenage Expo, believe parents are “too scared to discipline their children in front of other parents or adults, in fear they will be judged as being too harsh”.

“It’s actually easier as a parent to give in most times than to stand your ground and say no,” Ms Kaluri said.

The views follow the launch of a book, The Me, Me, Me, Epidemic, by US parenting coach Amy McCready.

Ms Kaluri said parents could be more vulnerable to children’s ­demands when they were tired.

“It’s often a good idea to talk about it the next day when the heat of the moment is over,” she said.

 

 

“They are more likely to listen and understand your reasoning.”

Ms Karras said encouraging children to be grateful was one way to keep things more in balance.

“Being grateful for what we have is a huge deal in our family,” she said.

“On a daily basis on the way to school we talk about all the things we are grateful for.

“We counteract the fact they have toy boxes that look like Toyworld, devices of all kinds and fancy outfits with visits to the city to take blankets to those experiencing homelessness, listening to people tackling hardships and trying to get them to understand how lucky they are.”

Mooroolbark mum Amy Blunt said saying no to her two daughters helped them to be more resilient.

“Children need routine and structure — you’re not their best friend,” she said.

“Children need to hear you say no, it’s better to disagree with them in the long run.

“You have to remind yourself to persevere, it will only get worse if you give them a flavour of what they want — it’s better to have an immediate squabble than to fight the war later.”

McCready said there was “nothing wrong with helping our kids out every so often — but when our helping and allowing became a way of life, we were walking the slippery slope of the entitlement epidemic”.

“Entitled kids are known for thinking of themselves as above the rules, and deserving the best of what life has to offer,” she said.

“We can change this by sticking with the limits we set, and ignoring the protests and negotiations.”

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