Spoiled Rotten

Elizabeth Kolbert’s article in The New Yorker “Spoiled Rotten: Why Do Kids Rule the Roost” is almost painful to read.  Comparing our society’s parenting methods to other cultures somehow demonstrates our struggles in bold relief.  This reminds me of the story of the complacent frog lounging in his pot of gradually warming water.  He doesn’t realize until it’s too late that the water is boiling.

Are we raising a generation of spoiled children who, while capable of performing well academically, are outraged when asked to perform the most basic of life skills? I hope not.  But does this sound familiar?

Your turn to load the dishwasher. “What?!? No!”
Please take out the trash.  “Moooom, why do I have to do EVERYTHING around here?”
Set the table.  “Daaaaad, I don’t have time.  I have homework to do!!!!”
Mow the lawn.  “Are you crazy? You want me to saw my legs off?!”

And, if it does “is the water in your pot getting warmer?”

Enjoy,

Cathi Cohen, LCSW, CGP