Know The Difference Between A Happy And A Spoiled Child

As a primary school teacher, like me, there is one claim that bothers me in particular, and that confuses the need of the little ones for limits with that for the unfortunately well-known, “hard hand”. A misconception that is completely inefficient, because a happy and a spoiled child have absolutely nothing to do with each other and these two concepts must not be confused.

Therefore I would like to make a small plea for my humble point of view, which explains the difference between a happy and a spoiled child. For this I would like to refer to a quote from the famous American psychiatrist Karl A. Menninger: “What has been done to children, they do to society.”

Differences between a happy and a spoiled child

There are many differences between the things that define a happy child and those that define a spoiled child. And let’s not forget, as Menninger said, what we do to our little ones is what they offer and demand from society and the environment in which they develop.

Childhood is a very important phase in the life of the little ones because this is the period in which they begin to internalize values, talents, skills, preferences or something else. A soft and malleable figure that we must respect and educate with all the affection of the world and an appropriate, ‘cross-sectional education’ for the planet we want to create.

Expectations

Among the differences we find when we compare a happy child to a spoiled one is the extent to which they are demanding. A spoiled child will always have a series of demands which, if not met, will lead to anger and outbursts of anger because they are used to getting what they want. If not, the anger can become a monumental thing, as can his frustration and rage.

A happy child, on the other hand, quickly learns to appreciate things. It knows how far it can go, from a young age, and it doesn’t feel that much frustration when it is not in possession of a certain item.

The development of a value system

A spoiled child has a very limited value system that often aligns with the philosophy of “if you can pay, you can stay”. Because that is how it was brought up, and that is also what it has observed in its environment.

Meanwhile, a happy child who grew up in an environment where they feel wanted and understood develops a value system in which they understand the meanings of love, peace, freedom, and solidarity much more quickly. To a happy child, possession does not mean that much, and he does not have the need to need certain objects in order to feel good; it just takes affection and understanding.

character

A spoiled child will often develop a character who is prone to frustration and tyranny from a young age. It quickly learns that if it wants something, it has to demand it vehemently, without knowing exactly why it is. Pampered children simply associate anger and rage with reward.

A happy child, on the other hand, tends to be more sensitive and quickly gets used to asking about things they would like to have. It also develops means of protecting itself against frustration, strategies for getting what it wants on its own, and a less dependent attitude.

The level of understanding

What is definitely different between a happy child and a spoiled child is their different ability to understand the world. When a child has everything, they don’t have to see more things and can lose their ability to explore or develop things.

A spoiled child who always gets what he wants immediately develops little curiosity about the things around him and negligible interest in learning and understanding. When it thinks it needs something, it just asks for it and doesn’t look for it.

A happy child develops in an environment that is full of understanding, curiosity, and an urge to know and learn about the world in which they live. That is part of life and its own progress in life.

“Children have a greater need for models than for reviews.”

Carolyn Coats

As you can see, there are numerous and well-defined differences between a happy and a spoiled child. The point is not that children have everything, but that they learn to get these things in a warm and friendly way.