Hello Dear Moms & Dads!
You may wonder, what’s big for dealing with demanding children? Just fulfil their demands, and you complete your responsibility as a parent.
But, as a parent, you must have posed this question sometimes in your life. Should I give everything my child wants? How many demands can I fulfil of my children?
Majority parents won’t agree to give everything. Because it will pamper a child. If they fulfil all the demands of their child, they will spoil him. Still, they give their children everything they want. Kids rule over their parents now.
What’s the reason? Are they ignorant of the consequences or they don’t want their children to lead a happy life?
Yes, they want! But, today’s children are smart; they know every tactic to get their demands fulfilled. They cry, throw tantrums or threaten their parents to get what they want. Thus, parents are stuck in a difficult plight. And they resort to giving everything their child wants.
I suggest you these five things to deal with a demanding child.
1. Inculcate a sense of satisfaction in the child since birth
The habit of placing demands is not new in your child. It has developed in years when you have been giving everything to your child, irrespective of whether he needs it. You do this because you love him and want to give the best to him. So, you buy clothes, toys, and other things over what your child needs. This makes the child feel you can serve him everything he wants, and he is never satisfied with what he has.
Hence, do not buy surplus things even if you can afford them. To give the best doesn’t mean giving in excess, but giving what is necessary. This will help to inculcate a sense of satisfaction in your child since the beginning.
But, now your child has developed a habit of placing demands every day. What to do now?
The next step is:
2. Differentiate between his want and his need
A child is innocent to understand the difference between what he needs and what not. Like if he sees a new video game with his friend, he will ask for it. If he sees a new cycle on the television, he will want you to buy it for him. He doesn’t understand that it’s a momentary attraction towards things and not his need.
But, you are mature to understand the difference between his need and his want. And what you ought to fulfil?
3. Explain the reasons for saying “No”
Once you have understood that whatever your child demands is not his need and you shouldn’t fulfil it, have the courage to say “No” to your child.
Many parents avoid saying “No” to the child, lest he may cry or threaten to harm himself. Remember, crying or threatening by your child is just his way to gain your attention. Don’t get carried away. Muster the courage to say “No” to his demands which are not legitimate. Go a step further and explain him the reasons.
Be reasonable for saying “No” and don’t just refuse because the child asked for something. Explain the importance and use of the things they ask for and let them decide if they need it. This will require a great deal of patience on your side.
4. Divert his mind to other things
If a child demands something which you can’t fulfil or don’t wish to, divert his mind to other things which he might love. Like you can read a story together, gift him a box of crayons to paint and draw or engage him in creative activities of his choice.
This way you will keep him preoccupied with useful and fun activities. It will bring down his habit of asking things in the future.
5. Spend quality time together
Many times a child develops a habit of asking one thing or the other when parents do not spend quality time with him. To gain their love and attention, he demands things. He substitutes parents with the joy of demanding new things which satisfy him only for a moment.
Thus, spend quality time with your children. Play, learn, cook, and have fun activities together. Your child needs you more than anything else.
Conclusion
Parents should not give their child everything he wants. It will spoil him and he will never learn the value of money. But, alongside don’t be harsh on him. Understand his emotions. Tackle the situation with a calm and positive mind. Differentiate between his wants and his needs. If the child needs what he asks for, then don’t refuse. Fulfil his needs, not his wants.
Be reasonable with your child. Learn to say “No” to his illegitimate demands. But, first, say “No” to your habit of giving everything your child wants.
It’s time to act now and take the above steps to handle your child’s demands. Share your experience with these tips in the comments below.
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Mom and Me 