Today – how to unspoil a child – simple and effective tips
How to Unspoil a Child – The Ultimate Guide
Whilst we can all rave about how fabulous it is – I think almost all of us would say that parenting is tough at times. Before you know it, your worries will transform from nappies to not sharing and at some point, you may actually think to yourself hmmm…maybe my child is acting a little spoilt. Whilst all of these thoughts are a part and parcel of parenthood, having your kids act entitled or ungrateful is not something you have to tolerate. It doesn’t make anyone happy, especially them.We need to learn how to unspoil a child.
If that sounds like something you’re dealing with and you are keen to know how to unspoil a child, perhaps your own child- here’s something to help. Read on to discover how to unspoil a child and develop a loving relationship with them that they appreciate too. There are benefits in learning how to unspoil a child for everyone involved.
How to Unspoil a Child by Keeping it Minimal
There are many reasons to embrace the minimalist attitude in life, and here’s another one. Remember that you don’t need to get your hands on everything that catches your eye. Focus only on buying what is truly important to you, and things that you absolutely can’t do without. Children learn from example, and whatever you do, they’re bound to copy that. We truly are there best and their first and their strongest role models. If we want to learn how to unspoil a child we have to look to ourselves.
Making do with less actually teaches us to be less acquisitive and this, in the long run, saves on stress and money. A more minimalist attitude causes more zen-like and less frenzied behaviour in both you as a parent, your home and most certainly in your child and their behaviour
Focus on Experiences as a ways to unspoil a child
When it comes to rewards and gifts for your child make it a point to focus less on material things and more on experiences and time. This will help your little one value his relationships more than anything else, and is a good way to unspoil a child. It is also so lovely for building yup their memory banks which as we all know with our older age become precious beyond measure. So instead of gifting her an iPad on his birthday, plan a family trip to a place you know she’ll enjoy. This is the stuff memories are made of – a day at the seaside is a magical thing and oh yes! Don’t forget to take lots of photographs too.
How to unspoil a child? – Value Hard Work
Teach your little one the importance of hard work- the next time they demand something, let them know you often need to work things you want in life. Getting them involved in prepping the food if they insist they are hungry is a good example of this in action. I have my kids do lots of chores around the home and research indicates that this responsibility helps make them feel competent and capable and necessary. All these things are super supportive of raising self-esteem. A child with high self-esteem is likely to have more life chances and better relationships. Chores are good for mental health and wellbeing
Develop the Spirit of Giving as a way to unspoil a child
One of the simplest and easiest ways to unspoil your child is to help them develop the spirit of giving. To help a child understand the concept of donation, and have them donate their toys to a charity shop. You could encourage them to bake a cake for an elderly neighbour who lives on their own, or perhaps they could make a thank you card for their teacher.
Little acts of giving bring their own rewards as the bit of our brain that lights up when we receive lights up just the same when we give. This is how to unspoil a child. each them to give. Once your child realises the pleasure in giving they will be so keen to do more of it! I encourage my c daughter to write letters to family members and to friends as a way to give her time and energy and love. Giving does not have to be materialistic at all but oh! it really is such a gorgeous quality to instil in a child.
You never know they might give you something special!
How to unspoil a child top tip – set expectations
Every now and then, give your kids a run-down of what you expect from them. This is a great way to unspoil a child. Reminders are important to keep a child knowing both what you want from them and also what you expect from them.
Gently help them understand the difference between being grateful and acting entitled. Remind them that it is not possible for everyone to have everything. The lack of a few things helps us appreciate things that we actually have. This is such an important lesson for all of us actually and one that can in the ends keep us out of debt and stip us being disatisfied.
I talk to my children about the world and their privilege in relation to it. This is not as intense as it sounds. I help them see that whilst they are moaning about having potatoes not chips that some children are walking miles just to get a little water. I talk factually not emotionally I am not trying to make them feel guilty I explain too, as they moan about getting up for breakfast ready for school some children not very far away will have made do without breakfast and will be hungry today. I emphasise how lucky they are and how fortunate, It is important they understand their privilege.
Emphasise Gratitude as a way to unspoil a child
Making gratefulness a part of your (and your childs) life is another great idea if you are trying to figure out how to unspoil a child. It cannot just help un-spoil your child but transform their life to a more positive one. Teach them to say thanks for the little things in life, and find happiness in those things. Practise it yourself too. A really good time to do this is around the dinner table, each of ou taking int in turns to express what you are grateful for hat fay. If you are a religious family maybe a good time for expressing gratitude is during prayer.
Writing things down reinforces them so a gratitude journal is also a great tool if you are trying to unspoil a child and have them look with more appreciation at their life.
Encourage them to give compliments – a great way on the journey how to unspoil a child
Giving a compliment can be tricky at first but it soon becomes easier – and it is such an absolutely delightful thing to do. It is a lovely habit to cultivate too. I recall my little girl telling a woman on a juicing counter ( who looked thoroughly miserable) that her hair looked amazing. It really did it was bright blue. The woman cheered up instantly and gave the biggest smile EVER. It brightened both of their days instantly. Doing this will help you both appreciate and respect.
In my book Create Your Own Happy we have a page full of compliment slips and we encourage children to cut these out and share them with people.
Our children and we will be oh so very much happier if they do not act in selfish, spoilt ways – it doesn’t lead to anything but frustration and unhappiness if a child is entitled or ungrateful. The gentle methods above describe ways in which we can quickly nip this in the bud, This way our children will group up to be happier and less frustrated and great world citizens. Just small changes now can make such a huge difference later on.
Figure out what your child is really thinking
Sometimes we can think our child is acting demanding or ‘ spoilt’ when actually we have no idea what is really driving their behaviours and it could be something else entirely. Maybe we don’t need to find out how to unspoil a child and what we do need to know is hw to understand them and find ways to make a child feel loved.
Do take a look at this great new book by Tanith Carey too … What’s my child thinking?
Covering all your child’s developmental milestones from ages 2 to 7 years, What’s My Child Thinking? covers important issues – such as temper tantrums, sibling rivalry, and peer pressure. What’s more, there is a bank of practical “survival guides” for critical times, such as travelling in the car and going online safely.
Rooted in evidence-based clinical psychology and championing positive parenting, What’s My Child Thinking? will help you tune into your child’s innermost thoughts and be the parent you want to be
It gives really sound parenting tips for dealing with tricky issues, gently guiding you to help and support your child.
Over to you for your top tips on how to unspoil a child
I hope you have enjoyed this post on how to unspoil a child – nobody wants a spoilt kid, do they? I hope you might also like my post on tips to raising a confident child and 10 simple ways to make a child feel loved If you have experience of helping your child become unspoiled – I would absolutely love to hear from you and hear your tips of course!
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So now you know how to unspoil a child, best of luck with it!
Further reading in relation to how to unspoil a child fast
Raising a child in a positive environment
How to raise a respectful child
How to unspoil a child is one of many posts on this site about positive, nurturing, attachment parenting I do hope you enjoy it. If you have any tips on how to unspoil a child to add I would love to hear them
Great post! you inspired me to a new ideas thank you