How to Weed Out Greed from your Kids Behavior

Of all the things that a child deftly picks up during his/her young age, greed is the most prominent one. Even from a very young age when they know barely how to speak, the one thing they learn quite effectively is that throwing a tantrum can get them what they want. Since we cannot possibly tell them no at such an age when they would not even understand our logic, we tend to pacify them. But parents should take note that such indulgence can be quite harmful once the child ages and starts to comprehend your actions. The responsibility then falls on your shoulders to start teaching your child and weed our greed from their developing personality.

Greed at a tender age is unavoidable, and only rarely does a few children find the power to suppress such instincts early on without much prodding on your behalf. The good news is that all such bad habits, whether they have the power to suppress such urges or not, can be gotten rid of with these effective steps on your part. We, the JP International School, one of the International CBSE schools in Greater Noida, are here to help you in this regard with our years of experience in dealing with children. We have chalked out a few tips that you can use to remove greed from your child’s behavior. They are stated as follows:

• Set a Good Example: It is usually the actions more than the words that impact the children the most. It is essential that you be very careful with your actions and not indulge in fey pleasures while your child is looking at you and observing you. You must not only act your part but adopt the good habits so that even unconsciously you show the child the true meaning of values. What they see is what they learn, and the most they learn from is you. Therefore, teach them about kindness and selfless traits that contradict greed because only when they start to feel ashamed of such traits, will they learn to discard it completely.
• Limit the Number of Gifts You Give– It should come as a no surprise to you if your toddler starts to give you a hard time when his/her desires are not met once you start to reign in their desires. You should understand that a child at this age has a fickle minded nature. You must, therefore, make sure that they understand that incessant bawling isn’t going to get them anywhere. Teach them instead to value the things they have and not bolt after everything new that enters the toy shop. Though it breaks our heart to see that plum face and know that we could have put a smile on it, it is necessary that we reign in our impulses. Therefore, limiting the gifts you hand out is important, though there is no need to cease it outright. Make sure to spare a few gifts now and then during festive seasons and special occasions but see to it that they do not take it for granted.
• Involve Your Kids in the Gift-Giving Process: The process of sharing and giving has always been a path to self-realization for as long as the civilization itself. It is therefore important that both you and your child take part in charity events and donate old toys and other items that are not in use. Make sure the child looks at the needy person and feels the smile that crosses their face when they receive something from your child. The impact this can have on the child is beyond anything we can teach them with words. There are no chapters in the textbook that can teach them this important lesson of humanity and learn the core values of life.
• Teach them always to be thankful: Most often, kids become ungrateful and negligent when they receive gifts at regular intervals. We might be giving them such gifts with good intentions but they start treating it as their privilege and not ‘gifts.’ This is one of the worst mistakes any parent can make. Instead of showering them with such things, try to make them understand the value of these gifts by limiting them and letting them know that they can get only what you can afford. Such an attitude on your part can work immensely in teaching them to be genuinely thankful for what they receive and treasure it as long as they can.

We, at the JP International School, strongly emphasize that you take the necessary steps to correct your child’s behavior if you notice that the kid is developing greed as a part of his/her character. In our experience, we have seen that such traits are like dust in the wind unless you let them settle. Any child is like a sponge, soaking up what comes their way. The characteristics and traits they adopt are what they learn from you. With the right steps, you can easily correct their mistakes and teach them the values that shape their personalities as adults. With such core values in them, you can rest assured that your child is destined for a bright future and a well-respected social life.

- JP International School