Is There Such a Thing as a Spoiled Child?

February 25, 2010

What is "spoiled" to some may be "spirited" to another. While some parents expect their children to march to the beat of an adult drummer, others delight in watching kiddos pave their own way with their defined personalities. Is a child who pitches a fit late at night in a toy store tired or spoiled? Is a tot who runs in the opposite direction than he's been directed a free thinker or spoiled? Is a 2-year-old not wanting to share a developmental issue, or is she spoiled? LilSugar readers had very passionate views as to what constitutes a spoiled kid, and this made me wonder — is there even such a thing?

11 Comments

lilkimbo 3 years 11 weeks

I agree with the two anonymous posters; having parents who pay for your car/insurance/gas does not make you a spoiled teenager; it's more about the attitude you display. As for younger children, I agree with everyone else; it depends on so many factors. If a two-year-old throws a fit about sharing his favorite toy, I wouldn't necessarily call him spoiled (even though the behavior is obviously undesirable). If a 12-year-old throws a fit about sharing his favorite toy, I'd be much more likely to label him as spoiled.

RoaringSilence 3 years 11 weeks

Of course there are spoiled children. And I do think it's almost completely the parents' fault.. you're not just born with that. To all those people who say that disciplining a child hinders their free spirit: Please. There is a happy medium between giving your child everything he/she wants, and crushing their spirit by being too strict.

3 years 11 weeks

I agree with anonymous. Having a wealthy family and being provided for does NOT necessarily mean you are a spoiled individual, INVOLVE23

chloe bella 3 years 11 weeks

Yes, and many of them are spoiled well into adulthood!

3 years 11 weeks

inlove23, just because a teenager's parents could afford to and decide to pay for their child's driving expenses does not make them spoiled. if the teenager fully appreciates that they are very fortunate and lucky--- then it's fine. if the teenager has an awful, attitude and thinks that his/her parents OWE them a car .... being "spoiled" is more of an attitude problem on part of the child that is possibly, but not in all cases enabled by the parents.

jenni5 3 years 11 weeks

My neices are spoiled brats (5 and almost 7). They are completely unappreciative and disrespectful. I blame their parents.

inlove23 3 years 11 weeks

I HATE spoiled teenagers, it is the most arrogant thing ever. I know this one kid that had a job, but got a free car from his parents, doesn't have to pay insurance, and as long as he has a job he doesn't have to pay for gas. I was like seriously? My bank account was almost bone dry after my first car, but at least I can say that I did it myself.

3 years 11 weeks

Sure there are spoiled children, but there's no hard and fast rules for what that might be. A lot varies depending on the childs age, any developmental issues, home life, and a child's personality among many other things. I've yet to know a child who isn't spoiled sometimes! A person can't even judge another person or their child when they see them in public because none of us know the story behind what's happening with that child. Lots of kids look older than they are, and I certainly can't tell by looking at a child if they're sick or have a disability or anything else that might cause the behavior I'm seeing at that time.

Girl Jen 3 years 11 weeks

Yes! What MissSushi said! It's impossible to spoil a baby. Toddlers are going to exhibit "spoiled child" behavior more often than older children because they haven't learned self-control and they haven't learned that just because they want something, doesn't mean they're entitled to it or that they will get it. If a parent doesn't teach a toddler or a preschooler these things, he or she will be spoiled.

betty kraker 3 years 11 weeks

both of my kids are

MissSushi 3 years 11 weeks

You can't label any of these things across the board with the word "child". Just a difference in age (a 2 yo vs a 7 yo) alone makes it developmentally impossible.

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11 Comments

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