Every kid has their moments. One minute they’re all giggles and cuddles, the next they’re demanding things like they run the place. While that’s usually normal, those habits may pile up and make you realize they’ve gotten a little too used to having things their way. Here are ten signs you raised a spoiled child. Do any of these sound too familiar to you?
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They Interrupt Adult Conversations
You try talking to another adult, but your kid stands next to you going, “Mom? Mom? Mom? MOMMMMM?” They’re not hurt or anything, they just need some attention now. If they do this a lot and they never get told to wait, it’s probably because they’ve learned the world pauses for them. That’s not okay.
They Have Zero Patience
Waiting five minutes is absolute agony for your kid, and they immediately start acting like the sky’s falling because their popcorn isn’t done or Netflix is buffering. They’re used to things happening fast, and that means anything much slower triggers a full meltdown. Kids like this have never been taught how to be patient.
They Negotiate Bedtime
“What if I brush my teeth and put my toys away, then I get one more cartoon?” Sound familiar? Some kids feel that they can negotiate things like bedtime, and that’s because they treat rules like suggestions. They’ll wear you down with constant deals, and they’ve probably learned that whining just the right way gets them what they want.
They Never Clean Up Without Being Reminded
Whenever you walk into the living room, it’s a complete mess, but your kid doesn’t even blink, and they treat it like the mess is invisible. You have to remind them five times to clean it, yet they still act like picking up their Legos is some cruel punishment. That’s a sign they’re not used to doing their share, or even thinking they should.
They Expect New Things All the Time
Some kids just assume they’ll get new things on schedule. It doesn’t matter if their shoes still fit, as they want the ones that light up and make sounds. A kid who’s always asking for new versions of things that still work fine is likely doing so because they’ve never had to settle for “good enough.” They don’t understand that they don’t need new things all the time.
They Give Up Quickly
Watch how they react when they can’t do something on the first try. If they drop the pencil or immediately give you the puzzle piece while screaming that they “can’t,” that’s not always just frustration. Sometimes it’s a habit. They’ve probably learned someone will just swoop in and fix every single one of their problems without them needing to do anything.
They Shame Other Kids Who Don’t Have The Same Stuff
Your kid points at another kid’s off-brand backpack and says, “That’s not a real Spider-Man.” They’re not necessarily trying to be mean, but they may not understand that other kids don’t have, or even want, the same things. This is a learned habit from always getting the good stuff and never considering an alternative.
They Always Want to Be First
Most kids love being first in line, first in the car, and first to choose a snack. That’s no big deal. But a kid who completely flips when they’re second is something else, especially when they create sudden tears-and-shouting levels of drama. It’s not about competition anymore, but rather, needing to win everything.
They Don’t Say Thank You
A kid you have to constantly whisper, “Say thank you” to is a kid who probably doesn’t even think about gratitude. They expect stuff to show up, especially if that “stuff” has always done so without them asking. It’s not necessarily rudeness. It’s just not something they’ve ever had to think about.
They Lose Things Without a Second Thought
Forgetting your jacket on the playground is one thing. Barely reacting when it disappears is another. The same goes for lunchboxes and toys, which also disappear, no big deal. When things are easily replaced, kids don’t learn to keep track of them, and they just assume they’ll get another soon enough.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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