#entitlement

#entitlement

A spoiled child is used to getting what they want when they want it with few exceptions. "Every kid has an off-day -and so do adults - but spoiled kids are stuck in 'me' mode," said Michele Borba, educational psychologist and author of "UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World." "Everything revolves around their needs, concerns, feelings, wants, desires, and everyone else takes second place."

After every school shooting, mass shooting, or act of targeted political violence, I've noticed a heartbreaking and consistent theme in my work with families. Mothers often come to me with the same fearful question:"Why does this keep happening with boys-and is my son at risk too?" Most recently, one mother sat across from me, exhausted and tearful, asking if her parenting was somehow creating a "narcissist" in her son. She feared what she was seeing-and even more, what it might mean.

Based on my years of coaching parents of entitled adult children, I see the emotional toll parents pay when anticipating the next crisis that pops up on their text messages or literally on their doorstep. Perhaps it is a pressured plea for financial support laden with irrational reasoning ("You never did crap for me, so now I need you to step up for me, finally"). Or, possibly, the torment stems from their adult child's refusal to take responsibility for their actions.

Andrew and Sarah were rude to staff and acted entitled to special treatment, despite lacking the financial means to support their extravagant lifestyles. They both had an open marriage before separating in 1992.

Billion Dollar Playground features ridiculously wealthy characters who complain about minor inconveniences, showcasing the absurdity of luxury living through their entitled perspectives on opulent vacations.

I played competitive cricket on Saturdays with about six guys from school (a fairly middle-of-the-road private school). The other seven came from a neighboring private school, and these fellas were completely loaded. The coach's son, Josh, was used to getting whatever he wanted.

One of the bridesmaids made a speech about herself that dragged on. She told the bride that she was the princess because she, herself, was really the queen.