Episode 23: How can I raise kids in an entitled world?
EPISODE SUMMARY
We recently received this question from a listener and we knew it was a topic we had to discuss! Raising kids in our western culture, we can get lost in raising them in the midst of entitlement. But how can we raise grateful, well-rounded humans? Join us as we share our stories and share some great ideas to implement!
THE CONVERSATION
Today we are answering the question “How can we raise kids in an entitled world?” The co-hosts started by sharing their own experiences with this issue.
Both Kara-Kae and Elizabeth moved their families to neighborhoods that have more diversity and less privilege. Kara-Kae’s kids also go to a very diverse school.
Elizabeth said that one of their hopes in engaging in foster care was to expose their children to people and issues they wouldn’t otherwise come in contact with. We need to avoid trying to shelter our kids and placing them in a bubble. It’s ok to expose our kids to different or even difficult things.
A few ways we can help our kids become more grateful and less entitled include:
Have your kids share a bedroom
Give your kids chores starting at a young age
Serving outside your home
Setting an example for your kids of delayed gratification and wise spending
Don’t be afraid to deny your kids some things that they want (I.e. cell phones, name brand clothes, etc.
We also need to realize that living this out is uncomfortable—it’s not always easy to live differently from everyone around you. But we need to make Jesus our standard and remember that people need Jesus more than they need our stuff.
We also need to learn about other people and expose ourselves to other groups and cultures.
RESOURCES TO REFRAME OUR THINKING
Elizabeth recommends the book, Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma.
Kara-Kae recommends the book called Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch.