4 Signs You Might Be Over Indulging Your Children

Life is not what it used to be, and many modern families are still trying to come to terms with how to live in a world that is conducive to comfort. Even as our lives have become comfortable, our time, energy, and attention have become stretched. The end result is a generation of parents who don't have time to expect excellence from their children, and thus many children are indulged beyond belief.

But a parent's role is to be much more than a pocket that pays the bills on time and moves the kids around from one recreational activity to another—here are some signs you may be over indulging your kids and some questions to ask yourself.

1. Do You Spoil Them With High End Products?

For many parents, over-indulgence comes in the form of buying their children whatever they want and making sure they have the latest model of everything. The ultimate irony comes when you buy a child some ridiculously-priced gadget toy that is trending, only to see them play for days with the box that it came with instead. Love does not come in the form of expensive gifts, and yet many parents with the bank account see them as a monthly expense rather than a gift at all—as if they have an obligation to fill their child's time with these treats.

Instead, purchase things that will improve your child. Consider musical instruments and art supplies. Books. Games that require creative thought and classes that teach them new skills.

Or leave them to their own devices from time to time so they have to use creativity more. A poor child who has nothing often has just as much fun, if not more, than a child showered with the top products on the market.

2. Do You Expect Them to Carry Some Weight?

For many American families, children doing chores is pretty much unheard of. Many parents just do every little thing because it takes too much time and energy to teach a child.

Not only does this make children lazy and ungrateful but it sends them out into the world unprepared to run a household. Teach your children to help you out around the house from a young age—a great side benefit is once they have it down, your life will be much easier.

3. Do You Push Them to Excel?

Often, today's parents do not push their children to achieve anything more in life than the average child. Many parents are happy as long as their child doesn't get into a whole lot of trouble at school and doesn't flunk all their classes. Don't be too hard on them, but it is a good idea to demonstrate to your children that hard work and determination can bring them success in academics and sports—two endeavors well worth their energy and time.

Expect it of them.

4. Do You Allow Them to Sit Idle?

What do your children do when the dust of a day driving from errand to errand has settled and you are all at home? Do they spend their time watching T.V. and playing the latest Xbox games?

Do not be afraid to shoo your kids outside and force them to get some exercise as well as be more creative with how they spend their time. It is a vital part of character growth and personal development.

I'm not running the school of obsessive parents here, but it is obvious to most that today's children are a bit different than children of generations in the past. One of the main reasons is because of the way we coddle children these days and play a more passive role in parenting. What do you think?


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