Do you think today's kids are more demanding?

We come across lot of parents stating that their children have grown up to be very demanding. Such parents often claim that they have to face serious problems coping with constant demands and frequent pestering of their children over small issues. What do you think about this problem and what are your suggestions?

A child being demanding is not always a cause of concern as long as they are within limits .unlike earlier generations, today's children are demanding because they are exposed to fast paced life and cyber culture. My suggestion is the parents should see the justification of the child's demand. they also should see utilitarian factor that is, how far the thing demanded by the child is useful for him for his personal development. For example, give him a computer but not a cell phone.

I feel that communication and understanding is the key to any kind of relationship , the same with children. Children do face peer pressure when they are in their teens and it depends on the parents as to how to handle such situations and demands, sometimes you give in , sometimes you dont ...As far as the question goes, whether children are more demanding, this is something we get to hear through generations , change is the essence of life, so how can we expect the now generation to remain static ?

If kids of the present generation have become more demanding, as parents it is their duty to know where to draw the line. Kids should be educated to make a difference between needs, wants, and desire using examples in each case.

Kids in general demand. They see a doll in a shopping mall and insist the parents to buy it. They see elders using a cell phone frequently by the elders either in the family or in the neighborhood and demand the parents for a cell phone. Even if the child is provided with all the toys, it loses interest on those toys and develops interest on the child's toys of the child in the neighborhood. And throws tantrums until it gets it.
It's a natural characteristic in every child. During that phase of the childhood, a child will be fickle minded. It's here the parents should take the charge and be firm. Parents should not yield to the tantrums of the child.
Parents, by being firm can control the demanding nature of the child.

Kids demand due to creation of habits by parents, parents want to provide more to kids than their own generation.

Kids are always demanding and it's their nature. Even toddler demands attention. This attention demanding traits of a child is visible through their tantrums. Many parents unfortunately yield to these tantrums. Psychologists say that the best way to stop the demanding habits of a child is to not paying any attention.
I have seen a child of 4 years created a scene in a mall when the mother refused to buy a toy. The unyielding mother simply ignored and walked away from ( Really she pretended) the Mall. The child automatically ran to join his mother. This should be the attitude of parents.
Just demands of a child can be attended to . But not unjust demands. The parent has to make the child realize that all their demands will not be met..

They are children and its there nature to demand. But, to see if a demand is valid or not, that's the job of parents. Just going and fulfilling the kids every demand is not possible. Try to convince kids and make them learn about the value of money.

For a starter it is a good idea to give a small amount of pocket money to children and let them manage their expenditure within that amount, also open a savings bank account and teach them to save money and earn interest. I have seen how children feel thrilled when they get interest, even a tiny amount ...Once they realise that money doesnt come easy, their demands too become more realistic !

They are children and its there nature to demand. But, to see if a demand is valid or not, that's the job of parents. Just going and fulfilling the kids every demand is not possible. Try to convince kids and make them learn about the value of money.

It is difficult to convince kids when they forms a habit of it. :whistle:

For a starter it is a good idea to give a small amount of pocket money to children and let them manage their expenditure within that amount, also open a savings bank account and teach them to save money and earn interest. I have seen how children feel thrilled when they get interest, even a tiny amount ...Once they realise that money doesnt come easy, their demands too become more realistic !

Exactly. Its my practical experience. I have seen children standing in queue at the Bank counters holding their Piggy Bank containers. This boosts not only the sense of thrift, but also lays foundations for self reliance.

For a starter it is a good idea to give a small amount of pocket money to children and let them manage their expenditure within that amount, also open a savings bank account and teach them to save money and earn interest. I have seen how children feel thrilled when they get interest, even a tiny amount ...Once they realise that money doesnt come easy, their demands too become more realistic !

Exactly. Its my practical experience. I have seen children standing in queue at the Bank counters holding their Piggy Bank containers. This boosts not only the sense of thrift, but also lays foundations for self reliance.

Absolutely ! My children too have had their bank accounts since the time they were 9 years old and I feel it has benefited them realise the value of money..

For a starter it is a good idea to give a small amount of pocket money to children and let them manage their expenditure within that amount, also open a savings bank account and teach them to save money and earn interest. I have seen how children feel thrilled when they get interest, even a tiny amount ...Once they realise that money doesnt come easy, their demands too become more realistic !

Exactly. Its my practical experience. I have seen children standing in queue at the Bank counters holding their Piggy Bank containers. This boosts not only the sense of thrift, but also lays foundations for self reliance.

Absolutely ! My children too have had their bank accounts since the time they were 9 years old and I feel it has benefited them realise the value of money..[/quote

This is a testimony for Wise parenting. Such habits may look daunting at the outset. But the results give you immense satisfaction. This is like forgetting all your hardships of gardening when you see the plant you planted bearing fruits.

Today's kids have become more demanding mainly because they know their parents can provide them with whatever they ask for. Like Mohan has stated, it is a habit that has been created by parents themselves out of guilt for not spending more time with the kids. THe only solution for such kids is proper communication between the parents and the child and also the parents need to remain firm on their decision and not give in to the kids. I have seen parents who start out by refusing their child and when the child starts throwing tantrums, the parents simply give in and buy him whatever the child is demanding. This leads the child to believe that he can do whatever he likes to get whatever he desires. A very unhealthy trend!

I guess environment and the society too has a role to play where children behavior is concerned. KIds are bombarded with visuals of every knd - shoes, games, cell phones, designer wears and so on , it is bound to attaract them and totally denying things is also not right since it is but natural that they would want to experience at least some of what is being offered... I feel it is better to buy a good pair of sports shoes rather than a mobile phone and so on...By and by they learn to distintinguish what they really need , what is not really needed ..

I guess environment and the society too has a role to play where children behavior is concerned. KIds are bombarded with visuals of every knd - shoes, games, cell phones, designer wears and so on , it is bound to attaract them and totally denying things is also not right since it is but natural that they would want to experience at least some of what is being offered... I feel it is better to buy a good pair of sports shoes rather than a mobile phone and so on...By and by they learn to distintinguish what they really need , what is not really needed ..[/quote

Exactly.This is what i said in my earlier response. They are exposed to Fast paced life and Cyber culture. This makes a difference.

yes I think that would be an effective way to deal with tantrums. If we do not succumb to their demands they will understand that they can't get way with their demands every single time.

Our socioeconomic condition, our lifestyle, our environment everything is responsible to some extent. When we go to a shopping mall to buy some stuff for us there we see stack of attractive toys and accessories for kids on display. So a small kid is bound to get attracted to all those toys and ask his parents to buy some for him. Then comes advertisements on television. So to some extent lot of exposure is there for a kid. We can not blame a child. Instead we can control it.

Our socioeconomic condition, our lifestyle, our environment everything is responsible to some extent. When we go to a shopping mall to buy some stuff for us there we see stack of attractive toys and accessories for kids on display. So a small kid is bound to get attracted to all those toys and ask his parents to buy some for him. Then comes advertisements on television. So to some extent lot of exposure is there for a kid. We can not blame a child. Instead we can control it.[/quote

Yes. Controlling the kid tactfully by diverting the child's attention and staying firm, Parents can do the needful. It's not a difficult task.

Our socioeconomic condition, our lifestyle, our environment everything is responsible to some extent. When we go to a shopping mall to buy some stuff for us there we see stack of attractive toys and accessories for kids on display. So a small kid is bound to get attracted to all those toys and ask his parents to buy some for him. Then comes advertisements on television. So to some extent lot of exposure is there for a kid. We can not blame a child. Instead we can control it.

Yes. Controlling the kid tactfully by diverting the child's attention and staying firm, Parents can do the needful. It's not a difficult task.

I would rather not use the word Control ...It is better to convince and make them understand so that they make the right choices. Personally speaking I would hate to be controlled by anyone and made to do things out of fear, so I would not want my children to do the same, it is better that they be given choices and the freedom to choose while guiding them and showing the right path...

Our socioeconomic condition, our lifestyle, our environment everything is responsible to some extent. When we go to a shopping mall to buy some stuff for us there we see stack of attractive toys and accessories for kids on display. So a small kid is bound to get attracted to all those toys and ask his parents to buy some for him. Then comes advertisements on television. So to some extent lot of exposure is there for a kid. We can not blame a child. Instead we can control it.

Yes. Controlling the kid tactfully by diverting the child's attention and staying firm, Parents can do the needful. It's not a difficult task.

I would rather not use the word Control ...It is better to convince and make them understand so that they make the right choices. Personally speaking I would hate to be controlled by anyone and made to do things out of fear, so I would not want my children to do the same, it is better that they be given choices and the freedom to choose while guiding them and showing the right path...

Exactly. I meant controliing in a convincing way, which the child understands. There should not be any room for authority or command. Otherwise, it leads to "Adamant" : behaviour in the child