Teens these days are growing more entitled by the minute. This is clear when you look at the case of 16-year-old Ethan Couch, who drove drunk, caused a deadly car accident and was given probation instead of jail time. Couch, who was raised in a very privileged manner, has been given the nickname “affluenza teen,” due to a term coined by his defense team. This term is designed to indicate that being raised in an affluent lifestyle can leave a teen incapable of being responsible for their own decisions. Teen child becoming too entitled

The idea that kids shouldn’t be held accountable for their own decisions is detrimental to society. This was demonstrated when Couch, who was supposed to be on probation, skipped town with his own mother so he could party in Mexico. If we don’t start holding people accountable for their actions as young adults, when will we? Even parents who attempt to discipline their children still end up with teens who are out of control.

Here are some signs that your kids might be getting a bit too entitled.

1. Refusal to Work

Kids should take on an appropriate percentage of the household chores and responsibilities in exchange for a monthly allowance as they grow older. This teaches work ethic, the value of money and personal responsibility. If you notice your kids making excuses to get out of chores or do their homework, it might be time to have a talk about entitlement.

2. Blaming Others

Entitled teens will always find someone else to blame for their problems. This is because they lack personal responsibility. If they forget to do their homework, it’s somehow their parent’s fault for not reminding them. If they blow off their chores, it’s the fault of a sibling for distracting them and making them forget. Making excuses and blaming others won’t work in the real world, so this is a problem you will need to handle quickly.

3. Being Unable to Handle Disappointment

Disappointment is a part of life, but entitled teens are often unwilling to take no for an answer. They want instant gratification, and if they can’t have what they want, they will raise hell.

Fighting entitlement is a battle for all parents, and it will likely continue to be until our society changes, and we start raising our kids in a way that breeds personal responsibility. To be a good parent, you have to love your kids enough to tell them no, which is very often what they need to hear. You also have to be willing to let them try and fail on their own. It cultivates character and helps kids see that they will need to work hard if they want to accomplish their dreams.

My Feet Aren't Ugly book by Debra Beck.

If you want your teen to be more understanding, check out my award winning book, My Feet Aren’t Ugly, A Girl’s Guide To Loving Herself From The Inside Out. Amazon.com