People who were spoiled as children often display these 9 behaviors as adults

From the Personal Branding Blog

Growing up, we’ve all known that one kid who got everything they wanted, right? Well, it turns out that being spoiled as a child can leave certain marks on a person’s adult behavior.

Let’s clear the air first – this isn’t a judgment call. It’s simply an observation that those who were indulged often as kids can exhibit particular traits when they grow up.

In this article, I’m going to reveal nine common behaviors that adults who were spoiled as children often display. These pointers aren’t intended to stereotype or blame, but to shed light and create understanding.

Let’s dive in.

1) A lack of resilience

Remember the kid who always got what they wanted, no matter what? Well, fast forward to adulthood and you might see a similar pattern.

Individuals who were spoiled as children often struggle with resilience. This isn’t surprising if you think about it. If they’ve always had their way, then facing obstacles can seem like an alien concept.

Resilience is about dealing with challenges, bouncing back from failures, and persevering through tough times. If a person has always been handed everything on a silver platter, they may find it hard to develop this trait.

Of course, this isn’t a rule set in stone. It’s just an observation that has been made over time. But it’s definitely worth considering when trying to understand the behaviors of adults who were spoiled as children.

2) Struggle with delayed gratification

Let me tell you about a friend of mine, let’s call him Sam. Sam had the most indulgent parents you could imagine. He never had to wait for anything as a kid. Birthday present? Got it a week early. Wanted the latest video game? Bought on release day.

Fast forward to now, and Sam struggles with patience. Whether it’s waiting for a promotion at work or saving up for a new car, Sam finds it incredibly difficult to delay gratification.

This is a common trait among adults who were spoiled as children. The ability to delay gratification – to work towards long-term goals and resist immediate rewards – is crucial for success in many areas of life. But if you’re used to getting everything right away, like Sam was, this can be a tough skill to learn.

Again, this isn’t about blaming or stereotyping. It’s about understanding how our childhood experiences can shape our adult behaviors. And potentially, it can help us address these behaviors and grow as individuals.

3) Difficulty accepting ‘no’

Rejection can be hard for anyone. But for those who were spoiled as children, hearing ‘no’ can be especially challenging.

Psychologists have found that individuals who consistently had their demands met as children often struggle with accepting denial in adulthood. This could manifest as difficulty dealing with criticism, resistance to authority, or frustration when things don’t go their way.

The ability to accept ‘no’ is vital for healthy relationships and personal growth. It’s about understanding that we can’t always have what we want, and that’s okay. Learning this lesson can be a bit harder for those who rarely heard ‘no’ as kids, but it’s a crucial part of becoming a well-rounded adult.

4) Entitlement mentality

It’s quite common for individuals who were spoiled as children to carry a sense of entitlement into adulthood. This isn’t about being arrogant or snobby. It’s more about expecting certain things to come their way without necessarily putting in the effort.

Entitlement can manifest in various ways. It could mean expecting promotions at work without putting in the necessary effort, or assuming friends and family should cater to their needs without considering others.

This behavior stems from the childhood experience of having their needs and wants met without any conditions. As adults, it’s important for them to realize that privileges and rewards often require effort and compromise.

5) Poor money management

Another behavior often observed in adults who were spoiled as children is poor money management. If they’re used to getting what they want without understanding the value of money, they might struggle with budgeting and saving in adulthood.

These individuals may find it hard to resist buying things on impulse or spending beyond their means. This lack of financial discipline could lead to debt or financial instability.

Understanding the value of money and the importance of budgeting is a crucial life skill. Those who didn’t learn this as children may need to work harder to develop these skills as adults.

6) Difficulty forming deep relationships

One of the more subtle, yet significant consequences of being spoiled as a child can be the struggle to form deep, meaningful relationships as an adult.

If one is used to being the center of attention and having their needs met instantly, it can be challenging to reciprocate empathy and understanding in a relationship. This lack of give-and-take can create barriers to forming deep emotional connections.

Relationships are about mutual understanding, compromise, and sometimes putting others’ needs before your own. If these behaviors weren’t modeled during childhood, learning them as an adult can be a journey. But it’s a journey worth embarking on because deep relationships are one of life’s greatest joys.

7) Struggle with self-discipline

I’ve always been a bit of a night owl. In my younger years, I struggled to wake up early, always hitting snooze on my alarm clock. My parents often let me sleep in, rarely enforcing a morning routine. Essentially, I was spoiled with extra hours of sleep.

As an adult, I found it hard to stick to a regular schedule and often felt unproductive and lethargic. It took me some time to realize that my lack of self-discipline stemmed from those oversleeping mornings as a child.

Just like me, many adults who were spoiled as children might struggle with self-discipline. Without early experiences of setting boundaries and sticking to routines, it can be tough to develop this discipline in adulthood. But as I’ve learned, it’s never too late to start.

8) Overreliance on others

Have you ever met someone who constantly depends on others to make decisions or solve problems? This behavior could be a sign that they were spoiled as a child.

When children are always given what they want and their problems are instantly solved by others, they may not learn how to be independent. As adults, this can lead to an overreliance on others for help with tasks or decisions.

Learning to rely on oneself is a vital part of personal growth. It’s about building confidence in our abilities and realizing that we’re capable of solving our own problems. For those who were spoiled as children, it might take a little extra effort to develop this independence, but it’s certainly achievable.

9) Low frustration tolerance

Possibly the most significant behavior displayed by adults who were spoiled as children is a low tolerance for frustration. When faced with challenges or setbacks, they may quickly become upset or frustrated. This is because, as children, they rarely had to experience not getting their way.

Frustration tolerance is a crucial life skill. It’s about understanding that obstacles are a part of life and learning to deal with them in a healthy way. For those who were spoiled as children, developing this tolerance can be a key step towards becoming more resilient and adaptable adults.

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