How do you UN-spoil children?

Question

I love my kids dearly. They have all they need and so much more. Sometimes they have the attitude that they EXPECT things. I started not giving so much and making them earn things so they appreciate more. What are your ideas on how to teach children appreciation?

Answer 1

I would suggest that you should have them volenteer this summer! A homeless shelter or retirement home will help them get some perspective about the material objects of their lives. The first time they meet a faimly at a soup kitchen that where their are children their own age that can't even afford the basics... they may relize of the extra stuff that they have isn't all that important.

Answer 2

I would try slowly working them out of the habit of expecting things by giving into them as much and eventually having them work at getting what they want on their own. You could probably do it by something as simple as giving them a fixed budget or allowance to so they can get the things they want but they have to think about what they are buying. It sounds like you are on a good track already and all you really need to do is keep at it.

Answer 3

HA HA!! Un-spoil spoiled kids! That's hilarious!

I'll tell you the truth, I was spoiled rotten when I was little...... Until I was 10 and my little brother came along. I was so jealous because he took up so much of my parents' time, but after a while I realized "hey, I used to act like that. Wow, I was annoying". He still gets treated like a prince to this day. Things I would've gotten my butt whooped for when I was his age, he gets away with. And when my parents say "you used to do the same thing" to me, I tell them they should've whooped my butt for it.
I'm not saying have another kid, I'm just saying it's not easy. Once kids learn a certain way, they're kind of stuck there. Stick to your guns. They'll learn eventually. Just please, please, please don't let them be like the kids on that show on MTV for Sweet 16 parties. I'd love to smack all those kids and there parents a few times. I know I said I was spoiled, but I was never THAT spoiled!

Answer 4

choose for one habit (i might start up with the temper tantrums), tell her it fairly is time for it to alter through fact she's an excellent toddler now, and set very clean expectancies for her on what the implications would be if she misbehaves. through fact it sounds like a enormously ingrained habit, possibly additionally set up some style of decal chart or penny jar and shop music of days the place she does not have any misbehaviors, and conform to do some thing she'd discover relaxing (camp out on the residing room floor? pass to the coastline? some thing not extraordinarily costly yet which would be significant to her) while she reaches a undeniable sort of stickers or pennies. each time you're approximately to stroll right into a shop, confirm you remind her of the hot expectancies. Be fairly consistent in your self-discipline. make advantageous she knows of she would be in a position to nonetheless state her opinion and enable you to recognize if she's feeling upset, yet that she desires to do it in a classic, respectful voice -- not a tantrum or a whine. while that habit is fastened, flow directly to the subsequent one. i might do her very own mattress next, and the thumb final.

Answer 5

lose all of your money ... get put out on the street for 5 months or so. Get your act together right before Christmas ...I bet they won't expect too terribly much thereafter.

Answer 6

I have spoiled my youngest so bad in a way that she is so mean and lazy that It's hard to be around her. And I don't know how to undo what I have done.♥j

Answer 7

It may be hard, but sell the greedy gits. Use the money to treat yourself.

Answer 8

Stop giving them everything they want. If they want something that's not a necessity then make them work for it.

Answer 9

let them earn money and stick to your decisions