Rich Child Syndrome: Does Your Child Have It?

It’s not easy for today’s parents. Most often, the hardest thing is that  most of the time is spent doing work, and little with children.

As a result, children may experience a kind of vacuum that is usually incorrectly compensated. As a result, the so-called rich child syndrome.

This syndrome does not only affect children who grow up in rich families. This affects both upper and middle class children. This “rich child” is brought about by the characteristics of parenthood, as it has nothing to do with the socioeconomic class.

A rich child syndrome means a child who has been pampered too much. That is, this syndrome is not a condition that has to do with social class, but rather with how parents raise a child and what kind of relationship parents have with their children.

What is a rich child syndrome?

A rich child’s syndrome is defined as a set of different disorders that occur in a child when he or she has almost everything and too much. Perhaps “almost everything” is not an appropriate word… children have more of “just about everything” they ever ask for.

In addition to getting everything they ask for, children with this syndrome also get more from their parents: privileges, many (short-term) hobbies, etc.

The point is that adult behavior is something that matters. Whether they are overprotective or offer their children too much,  parental behavior has clear consequences for their children’s mental development.

Ralph Minear, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard University,  suggests several questions that we can use to assess whether a child is being raised toward a rich child’s syndrome.

• Do you often buy expensive gifts for your child, even though there isn’t even any special occasion involved?
• Are the home expenses meant to cover the child’s whims?
• Is the child allowed to watch TV for more than two hours a day?
• Has he been recruited for non-curricular activities without having to ask?
• Do you reward your child with money or gifts every time he does something good?
• Does your child often complain about boredom? Doesn’t he know how to entertain himself, even in a room full of toys?

If you answer “yes” to any of those questions, it is really likely that your child will develop a rich child syndrome. This is most often because parents do not have enough time to spend with their children.

Parents compensate for this by giving their children too much freedom, making the rules more flexible, giving toys, experiences and money whenever the child asks for it. Parents hope this provides children with a “better life,” or they prepare children to be “better” than others.

Cycle

Most of these parents know no other way than to do the work so they can give their children a life full of comforts. They assume this is exactly what the kids want. Little restrictions, and lots of activities over time.

They believe that the more things a person has, the happier he is. In contrast, any unfulfilled desire and emptiness adds to suffering and misfortune.

These parents also want to put their child on the path to complete success as soon as possible. They want to raise their children so that they are above average. That’s why they take their children to so many different courses and extracurricular activities.

They don’t allow children to do what they like or where they are good, or develop their skills naturally. These children have access to the adult world from an early age.

Pressure and dissatisfaction

Today’s children are not as different as children in the past. In their hearts, they have the same needs as children had 20 years ago. They want to play, to interact with nature and animals.

Above all, they want to be loved. The presence of their parents gives them self-confidence as well as an invaluable sense of well-being.

Some parents do not understand why their children may be so frustrated, disappointed, sick, or why they may develop certain phobias. Their intentions are good, but they are unable to see the difference in helping a child reach his or her potential and supporting him or her to please and strive for him or her.

Pediatrician Ralph Minear suggests five tips for raising children. These tips are worth considering.

• When children have too much freedom, it can lead to moral confusion and a lack of discipline.
• Too many material gifts are often compensations for parental companionship and sincere love.
• If children have too much pressure to be proficient, children usually respond with stress and difficulty setting their own goals.

• Excessive information can lead to confusion.
• Too little protection prevents them from preparing for the challenges of life.

It is important to understand that the healthy development of children depends on a balance between widely fulfilled desires and frustration – but between conquests of personal freedoms and set boundaries.

Good upbringing is based on sincere love and the ability to teach a child how to value things and experiences.