Children are a gift, and it is often said that what you put into one is what you get out of them, in other words, children tend to grow up with the values they’re taught. This is why it is important for parents to invest a lot of time and effort towards bringing out the best in their children. And since they’re the leaders of tomorrow, they have a lot to say in how our societies turn out in the long run.
A bad child would eventually impact on the society negatively, and a good one positively. Men and women who display bad behaviours don’t just learn to do so overnight; they often start showing signs of what is to come from their childhood days, but sometimes, parents just do not pay attention, and some who do, don’t do anything about it, as they think nothing serious of it. As a parent, it is important that you take note of the changes in your child as quickly as possible because that is the only way you can arrest situations that need arresting. Here are some of the signs that a child may be becoming spoiled or bad.
1. THEY ARE GREEDY AND LACK CONTENTMENT
Sounds a bit over exaggerated for one to believe that a child would be greedy, right? However, the truth is they could be, but not too many people notice. I’ll give you a good example of how children show greed and discontentment. When a child has a toy, but sees another with the same toy, and starts crying for theirs, that is greed playing out because he / she already has theirs but wants more (somebody else’s). Now, it is common to see a parent trying to pacify children like this with more gifts, but I think that a little scolding is more appropriate if you’re to change that trait in them.
2. THEY WANT TO CONTROL EVERYONE… EVEN ADULTS
I have a little niece who does this. Sometimes, she just wants everyone around to do her bidding, and nothing less. There was this one time she came to the house, and was insistent on sitting on a particular chair… the same one I was sitting on. I refused, of course, and she threw a tantrum over it, but as soon as she realized I wasn’t going to yield, she stopped, and quietly moved to another spot. That is how you treat them when they show these traits because the moment you start indulging them, you only give them the license to continue.
3. THEY DON’T HELP OUT WITH ANY OF THE HOUSE CHORES
No one expects a toddler to start doing house tasks, but there is an age where every child can be taught to be responsible and helpful, by giving them little tasks that they can handle, like running certain errands within the house. Children who refuse to do this could become spoiled and deserve urgent attention.
4. THEY THROW TANTRUMS DELIBERATELY
A child would begin to throw deliberate tantrums when he / she realise that it is a sure way of getting you to do their desire. When they cry and scream to make you do something, and you do it, it is very likely that the trend will continue. And it doesn’t matter where they are, they’ll throw a tantrum if they feel that you’re being stubborn to their demands…even in public places and events.
5. THEY DON’T SAY ‘GOOD MORNING’ WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE OLDER IN THE MORNING
This is not applicable to toddlers, but to children who have come of age. A child of 4, 5 years or more should be able to greet his / her parent(s) when they see them. It is a show of good morals, and must be encouraged. Children who are of that age, and do not greet are either spoiled or their guardins are doing a very bad job of bringing them up.
6. THEY DON’T SHARE
Some parents and guardians often ignore this behaviour in children because they feel that they’ll change for the better as they get older. Yes, sometimes, a child can get rid of a bad behaviour by his/ herself as they get older, but other times, they just grow older with it, and get worse. So, it is important that parents do everything possible to dissuade a child from doing something bad from the very early stages. Sharing is a way of showing love; a child who does not share toys, food, etc, even with clear instructions to the contrary is just spoiled.
If you’re a parent, and you have a child who does some of the things I have talked about, the time to act is now. Remember, ‘a stitch in time saves nine.’
Drama