Brunette Tshuma
Parenting is a challenging job, and every parent wants to show love and provide the best for their child. However, overindulgence can have detrimental effects, turning a sweet child into a “spoilt and rotten brat.”
“Too much pampering goes a long way in shaping who they become in adulthood,” warns a child expert who is a counselor.
Children from affluent families often struggle to adjust to reality when their parents are no longer supporting them. This is because they have been shielded from the harsh reality of working to provide for themselves.
With just a twist of their tongue, all they need becomes present without even the slightest idea of what transpired to make their wants a reality.
These often lack dignity as they may use extortion tendencies on their parents. All they know is demand, demand and demand,
“Mummy I want Pizza. Mummy I want data. Mummy I saw a cool dress I want it.”
If their wants are not met, they then use extortionist traits to get their way. They lock themselves in their rooms, they stop interacting with the rest of the family. Some go to the extent of being suicidal.
Technology is the latest driver of this outcome. While owning personal gadgets is essential, age and limitations must be considered.
“Owning latest gadgets like the Huawei P50 S-Fold, Samsung Galaxy 23, or iPhone 14 can create unfriendly and boastful behavior in children,” notes the expert counselor.
“They become hard to control or correct, even for parents who are responsible for their portrayed behaviors.”
They must have the latest gadget, especially the trends of cellphones. It is amazing that a child as old as 12 years would own an expensive cellphone as an iPhone 14 or 15. When the parents is asked as to why such is provided they always respond,
“What would I have done, he/she said he wants it, and started making noise. I was tired of the noise so I bought the phone”.
An example of Robert Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine Chatunga comes to mind to illustrates this point. Some years back he was recorded on video pouring the entire conte bts of a US$700 bottle of champagne over his US$60 000 expensive watch, saying, “My daddy runs the whole country.”
This behavior stems from the mentality that everything belongs to him
“The pain, struggle, sweat, and sweetness of hard-earned cash – he has never felt it in his entire life,” observes the counselor.
While spoiling children may seem luxurious, parents must consider the future consequences of overindulgence.
“As the saying goes, ‘too much of everything is bad for one’s health,'”
The expert warns.
“Parents should strike a balance between providing for their children and teaching them the value of hard work and responsibility.”
Zim GBC News posted a poll unto its WhatsApp News groups enquiring if it was proper for a child of 12 years to own a cellphone such as an iPhone 14.
The answer was an overwhelming NO!!
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