The me me me epidemic is alive and well at my house. Uh oh. After listening to a webinar with parenting coach Amy McCready in which she was suggesting what we might say when our children are devastated by the consequences of their actions, Whitney and I both joked that we were going get tattoos that read, “I’m confident you’ll make a better choice next time” so that we could remember to use that line.
Spent so much time not putting pajamas on that we only had a 30-second back-scratching session? I’m confident you’ll make a better choice next time.
Though I’ve never met her in person, I completely trust Amy and her philosophy of love and positive discipline. Literally, every time I listen to her, read her, or watch her videos, I learn more that helps me become the parent I want to be. When she told me about her newest parenting book, The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World, I wanted to help spread the word.
The theme of this book? By setting up limits with consequences, and training them in responsible behavior and decision-making, parents can rid their homes of the entitlement epidemic and raise confident, resilient, and successful children. Doesn’t that sound nice?
Wondering if your kid might have the entitlement bug? Amy says you might have this problem in your house if your child expects:
- Expects bribes or rewards for good behavior
- Rarely lifts a finger to help
- Is more concerned about himself than others
- Passes blame when things go wrong
- Can’t handle disappointment
- Needs a treat to get through the store
- Expects to be rescued from his mistakes
- Feels like the rules don’t apply
- Constantly wants more”¦more”¦MORE!!!
I’m laughing as I review this list because all five of the rookie children share at least some of these traits so that we can check them ALL off. The ones that don’t expect bribes for reading don’t ever want to help out. The ones that can play board games without crying never stop asking for STUFF at every opportunity. Ack. I am certain that the tools in this book will help our own children and relationships.
I have not yet read this book, but I will soon. Let’s check back in once we’ve had a chance to practice some of the promised 35 anti-entitler tools in our homes.
McCready aims this helpful book at all of us: parents of young toddlers through the teen years will find proven strategies to effectively quell entitled attitudes in their children.
The kindle version of The Me, Me, Me Epidemic is cheaper, easier to share with your partner (!) and comes with audio/video. I find that a reluctant partner will happily avoid carrying a huge honkin’ hardback on public transit when an e-reader will do.
Once you buy the book (anywhere!), you can try your own webinar here.
[Images provided by Amy McCready, except the ones made by me and Whitney of our imaginary tattoos]
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