Earn It!

September 15, 2017

According to behavioral health expert Wetter, PsyD, and freelance writer Bailey (both, What Went Right), entitlement, unlike "affluenza," isn't dependent on wealth and privilege. In fact, the authors aptly illustrate how entitlement flourishes just as frequently in lower-income families, in which parents who struggle to make ends meet overly compensate with excessive rewards, or divorced parents who set few limits in order to make time spent with the child fun and exciting. Unfortunately, these kids often become unhappy without even knowing it; they lack resilience and thus the satisfaction of experiencing a job well done. However, parents can rest easy that they are not to blame for everything, as the authors explore many contributing factors to entitlement, including frequent moves, which contribute to selfishness as a result of the child not knowing the community as well as they used to, and feeling they must look out for Number One. VERDICT Through reevaluating chores, allowances, rewards, and coparenting, parents can teach kids to honor responsibility, inspire gratitude, and return praise to a meaningful place in the home. Recommended.

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