It might surprise you, but even the most well-mannered children can harbor habits that would make a hardened marine blanch. These "little monsters" as we'll lovingly dub them, can be found in picture-perfect suburban homes, bustling city apartments, and everywhere in between. With liberal parenting trends emphasizing, well, "freedom," these habits have become increasingly widespread since the turn of the millennium. Why, you might wonder, is it so prevalent among the so-called "nice kids"? Here's a rundown of some nasty habits that could make any parent cringe and reach for a firmer hand.
Entitled Attitude: Sure, they say "please" and "thank you," but when little Johnny doesn't get his way, you'd better watch out! This growing epidemic stems from parents bending over backward to avoid cramping their delicate psyche. What they'll tell you is it encourages independence; what they don't realize is it's churning out a generation of self-centered adults.
Tech Addiction: We've all seen it, that technology-induced zombie stare. Screen time in moderation isn't harmful, but these kids live in a digital Bermuda triangle of TikTok, Instagram, and mindless video games. The tech macabre keeps them hooked, leading to a generation that can text a hundred words a minute but can't hold a basic conversation.
Rudeness to Elders: Our grandparents would be rolling in their graves if they knew how some kids speak to their elders today. Kids today might say "hello" when they walk into the room, but heaven forbid they're asked to do a chore or stop scrolling through their phones. Columnists will assure you we're 'evolving' past archaic social rules. What's actually happening? We're losing touch with good manners.
Whining Over Hard Work: There's a common myth being sold nowadays that grit isn't as important as creativity. But, save the fairy tales; most real-life success doesn't occur in a feel-good Netflix saga. Kids who cut corners grow up and wonder why society doesn't have an award waiting for them.
Unrealistic Expectations of Earned Rewards: Trophies for participation anyone? In the heyday of accountability, awards were earned. Today, participation is the gold standard. Don't get me wrong: being inclusive is good, but these children are told that showing up equals winning. Does that prepare them for the harsh realities of life? Shake your head all you want, but we're growing soft.
Materialism: Shiny gadgets, the latest sneakers, and new toys on every birthday. It's this obsession with things that feeds a relentless sense of dissatisfaction. The need for "stuff" is insidious and has ballooned alongside the credit card debt crisis.
Short Attention Span: Streaming services and social media have created an all-you-can-watch buffet, served up in bite-sized, click-bait portions. It's no wonder kids have the attention span of a goldfish. Concentration was once a muscle that was trained; now it's atrophied.
Tardiness Without Accountability: Being late is almost a national pastime, but for kids, punctuality seems unnecessary. Encouraged by relaxed school policies and laissez-faire parenting, they operate on a different clock. Remember when punctuality was the courtesy of kings?
Over-Sensitivity: The moment something doesn't go their way, out come the tantrums tailored for the social media era. They say they're strong individuals embracing their pains. While acknowledging feelings is important, we've ventured far into the feeling-heavy zone and left good old rational thinking behind.
Lack of Empathy: The real pastoral irony: as we promote self-love, charity of spirit falls to the wayside. These kids lack the ability to see distress and offer a helping hand unless it’s hashtagged and platformed for likes and shares.
It's essential to recognize these habits before they grow beyond our control. Most parents want the best for their children, but without reversing course, those nice, smiling kids may morph into demanding adults driven by self-interest. Is it time for a call to old values of discipline and respect, the kind that pulled our weighty nation up on its bootstraps? It's a worthwhile question to ponder. Future generations depend on it.