After a particularly trying day with Sydney (centered around phrases like “But I want this…” “Everyone has….” “My life is terrible!”), I haphazardly typed in “entitled” “kids” in Amazon hoping for a large selection of parenting books about raising kids who aren’t materialistic or entitled or flat out spoiled brats based on their materialism and entitlement.  I was a bit disappointed by the lack of volume returned by my search, but this title by Kristen Welch was definitely everything I was looking for.

Here is a link to purchase the book from Amazon– just click on book:

You will often find me making excuses for my children’s behavior.  The reason why they plowed through a group of unsuspecting children, or the reason that they didn’t finish a particular worksheet, or complete a task I asked them to do. Over and over.  Those things make sense (due to their ADHD) and are a part of their make-up and need a little lots and lots of grace most of the time.   One thing you will never find me excusing or enabling is entitlement.  It is definitely a heart issue, and a trap so easy to find ourselves caught in.  Especially in the USA, in 2017.  It’s the norm, as a matter of fact.  Author of Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen Welch, describes this book as an encouragement to parents swimming upstream in a society that demands we do what is culturally accepted.  Having all of the things.  All of the time.  With all the upgrades— that’s what is culturally accepted.  Is having things wrong?  Absolutely not.  However, when saying no to any of the things or upgrades is deemed wrong by your kiddos or your peers or your parents, that’s when we have trouble.  Entitlement has entered the equation.   How do you combat entitlement?  With gratitude.  By being thankful for the things and people we do have in our lives.

As a parent, it’s incredibly tempting to give your kids everything they want.  Because, we can.  And it makes them happy.  For fifteen seconds.  Until they see someone else with the upgraded version.  You can buy your kid the absolute nicest car in the school parking lot.  And I guarantee you, by the end of that same school year, they no longer have the nicest car in the parking lot.  That’s the problem with stuff.  There’s always something better right around the corner.   Kristen states in the book, “Contentment is our aim because it doesn’t fluctuate with our circumstances,” (p. 14).  Raising kiddos who are happy because they are happy, not because of having the newest item, car, clothing, is a beautiful thing.

I shared on Facebook that I planned to read this book, and would be leading a bible study for other moms if anyone wanted to join me.  I was both floored and encouraged by the positive response.  One of the lies that keeps everyone trying to Keep up with the Joneses’ is that it’s what everyone else is doing.  I am so excited to join together with women from all over the country, that I have connections with via nursing school, previous or current jobs, high school, or kiddos’ school, and encourage one another to raise grateful kids in an entitled world.  It’s not too late to join us… if you want to join, order your book and join our Facebook group @ Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World- Crush the Cookie Cutter.