How do I expose my over-privileged spoiled child to children with nothing.?

Question

We live in an upper class neighborhood, one of the nicest in our town in a big house. We take our children on vacation two times a year, they have every toy, video game, hand held electronics, etc available. They are not always unappreciative in what they receive, but many times it's just not enough. They only know the life we have and that of their friends and neighbors. How do they experience the real world, where there are children with next to nothing? I enjoy giving them everything but wish they would appreciate it a little more and understand how lucky they are. Talking does no good - they don't see what they don't have, so they can't comprehend it. It's almost not their fault. HELP!!

Answer 1

It isn't their fault. They don't appreciate what the have, because they have never worked for anything to get it. The real world is out there, but in your need to give them every toy, video game etc, you have never actually made them work for something. They will not learn to appreciate anything this way. They will grow up expecting you to give them everything that they want and they will pout and have attitude when they dont get what they want. Now is the time to change that. If you don't when they go out to find a job, it will be with a lot of attitude, they will expect to be paid top dollar for no work and you will still be supporting them. Learn to say no, have them work for something, chores, anything. If you don't you will be supporting your children for the rest of your life, and they will never learn the value of the dollar until they don't have one anymore. Good Luck.

Answer 2

You are right it is not their fault, it's more yours. Just because you are able to give them everything does not mean you should. They should have to earn some of their toys and gadgets. In addition, look for opportunities to volunteer as a family helping the underprivileged in some way. I sure your kids know that there are people who are much less privileged than they are, but it is sort of an abstract concept right now. Exposure to persons other than those in their circle will help to make it real. I'm glad that you are aware of the need to train your children. With a little help, they will not become one of those without empathy who look at poor people and say 'why don't they just..." as if it were a simple matter.

Answer 3

I appreciate where you're coming from. However I hope you understand I'm merely pointing out my take on your question not criticizing but, the way you phrased you're question makes underprivileged children like Chicken Pox by stating you wish to EXPOSE your children to them. It also sounds like you want more gratitude for spoiling them rather than wanting your children to learn about others less privileged lives.
Have you considered taking your children to a group outside your area so they can meet children with similar interests but maybe from different backgrounds. The summer camp sounds like an eye opener for them too.

Answer 4

I understand you love them very much but just try to not spoil them as much first off. What I would do if I were you is give them a set allowance and make them earn that sucker to see how hard it is to earn those toys they have. If you don't want to do that, Just bring them to a urban YMCA or playground, something like that, so they make friends with more under-priveledged kids and talk to them about it. Or you can always watch those help the children in Africa "with just 3cents a day you can" commercials. Just try not to spoil them too much or they can grow up to be...spoiled.

Answer 5

STOP SPOILING THEM lol. thats the only real way to do it, may seem difficult when u know you can, and ofcourse you want the best for your kids, if it means giving them what they want. but remember they have to make their own way in life, so maybe put in place a chore system, or goal system, where they must work for their priviledges. it well help them understand that while they have a lot, they worked for it so to speak.

on the other note, just put them in public environments with other children, here the kids probably wont care about what one has or the other doesnt, but more on who can kick a soccer ball the furthest. make it all gradual.

peace.

Answer 6

Send them to a normal summer camp. Where they have to cook their own food, wash their own clothes..stuff like that. It's got nothing much to do with the world, but it's a start. Then go for a vacation in Vietnam. Go to the lower class areas. there are people living in dump sites.. there are even people living in cemeteries. It should be an eye opener.

Answer 7

At least bring them to a developing country. Let them know the reality of this world. Take them to India or Brazil or Bangladesh. Take them to some orphanage. Let them see the slums in some cities. Make them talk to people and kids here. Let them see for themselves how people live without much and are still happy and contented.

Second option-act broke. For a while..till they begin to appreciate what they had.

Answer 8

Let your child join a volunteer program at the local homeless shelter, soup kitchen or home for orphaned children. Insist they participate for at least a three-week period and be sure to ask questions each time they return from a volunteer experience. Facilitate thoughtful discussion on what they oberved and experienced while there. It helps to "engage the brain".

Answer 9

Well, then, volunteer with them at homeless shelters and places that serve dinner to the less unfortunate. Instead of throwing away that old toy that was replaced with the newer model make them donate it to the Salvation Army.

Go shopping with them and drop food off at food pantries. Even make them go through their toys and clothes to pick out stuff they don't use any more and donate them to places that can use them.

Answer 10

Pay a single mom with nothing at least $100.00 and ask her if she would let you and your child visit her for an hour in her home. Let her know what you are trying to do and she will understand.

Visit an orphanage in your area.