Parents don’t want their child growing up feeling entitled. Doing so could result in low self-esteem and inability to develop social skills.
But there are ways you can avoid becoming Karen yourself. Here are a few:
1. Don’t Make Demands
Entitled parents often make demands they feel they deserve, according to psychologist Sanam Hafeez. Furthermore, these individuals experience high levels of anxiety and stress surrounding both their own achievements as well as others’ achievements – often being unwilling to compromise in achieving their goals.
Parents often believe their children deserve special consideration. When they see other children being recognized for their hard work, they feel compelled to demand similar rewards for their own child – something which frequently occurs when engaging in competitive sports or extracurricular activities that require greater effort than their classmates.
Also, they may be placing too much pressure on teachers to perform at an above-average level, which could result in subpar academic results and have lasting ramifications on their children’s mental health.
As a result, Karen parents can create a toxic school environment which has an adverse impact on everyone involved. If teachers cannot hold students accountable for their behaviors or allow students to raise concerns when they believe they’re being treated unfairly, this can create an atmosphere of disempowerment and insecurity in the school environment.
Administrators often feel powerless to address student and family demands for extra services or special treatment from teachers, while fearing losing their jobs if they do not satisfy these demanding, entitled parents.
As a result, teachers are being hindered by an increasingly angry population of parents who take advantage of teachers and administrators to push through their demands and claims for benefits they want from the schools. When conflicts arise between families and schools, teachers end up shouldering more responsibility to resolve them themselves, further diminishing trust between all involved.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Errant parents tend to be difficult to please. They expect special privileges and services, and often demand to speak to either the manager or call police if their wishes are denied.
No one would deny that this sort of behavior can destroy so many relationships, while creating an uncomfortable work environment for teachers.
entitled parents tend to speak without thinking, which can be particularly dangerous when discussing sensitive information such as their child’s health or behavioral problems, according to Leslie Alison and her co-authors in an article published by the American Psychological Association.
People suffering from depression often become self-pitying, making it hard for them to appreciate life fully. This may be particularly true if they lack what they desire – such as an ideal job or house.
Author Susan Groner suggests another telltale sign of entitlement among parents is when they feel as if the world owes them something, according to author Susan Groner. They might think everyone owes them something, or should treat them better than anyone else.
Children often display particularly bad behaviors. It isn’t unusual for entitled kids to steal items from classrooms and break things purposely as a means of showing their authority over others. Furthermore, being loud or disrespectful as a way of showing themselves as in control could only compound this behavior further.
These children may never learn how to behave constructively and often create chaos and conflict in their lives, making it hard for them to develop empathy or sensitivity towards other people.
At times, it can be challenging to avoid becoming Karen; one way of doing this is not making unreasonable demands and asking relevant questions.
Researchers have revealed that people who ask more questions are more likely to feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics with their partners. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on a date or meeting for the first time at a coffee shop – asking questions is an invaluable opportunity to get to know each other better and see if there might be potential compatibility.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Saying no is an invaluable life skill that can save time, energy and relationships – not to mention helping avoid burnout which may lead to depression and anxiety.
People often fear saying no for fear it will make them appear selfish or mean; but by learning how to say no assertively while remaining courteous and thoughtful, saying no can actually improve relationships as well as health.
One effective strategy to help you say no more effectively is defining your priorities. Create a list of what matters to you most and place it somewhere accessible (like on your bathroom mirror). When someone requests something of you, review this list first before agreeing.
Saying no can sometimes be in your best interests; even if that means disappointing someone or upsetting an already close friendship. Doing so will allow you to build stronger relationships while becoming more productive overall.
An ability to say no can also help protect your children from entitlement-driven stress, anxiety and unhealthy behavior as adults. Learning to say no will allow you to raise them in a healthy environment where they will be treated with dignity and respect so they may grow into responsible citizens who care about both their community and planet.
Practice saying no when you feel stressed or overcommitted with your responsibilities. For instance, when feeling overcommitted consider what it would be like if you spent that time sleeping more or going to the gym instead of working on projects that take up too much of your time.
Once you can do that, it will become much simpler to say no to requests that conflict with your values or goals.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
As an entitled parent, it can be easy to believe that everyone owes you something. Unfortunately, this can lead to feelings of entitlement; which in turn make one believe they deserve everything without any effort being exerted on their behalf.
These feelings may lead to behaviors that are counter-productive for you and your child, such as engaging in arguments with teachers and other parents, venting online or making threats against individuals or families, or failing to take proper care of themselves and their families.
One way to avoid becoming Karen is to learn how to ask for assistance when needed. While asking may be intimidating at first, being able to seek assistance when necessary is incredibly useful.
As soon as you feel overwhelmed, it is imperative that you seek help quickly – the sooner that occurs, the lower your likelihood of experiencing adverse consequences.
Recent research indicates that asking for assistance can reduce stress and anxiety levels among those seeking it, as well as increase the odds of completing assignments on time, which will ultimately enhance academic performance.
However, many people still hesitate to seek assistance when needed despite knowing it could be beneficial. Some fear appearing dumb or incompetent while others fear burdening others with their burdens.
Fears associated with asking for assistance can be common and can often be exaggerated and misconstrued. If you are having difficulty reaching out for assistance, remember that asking is normal and it is okay for you to seek it.
There are many ways you can avoid being Karen. For instance, if you have children, try teaching them empathy and consideration for others. Encourage them to help out around the house by taking turns doing chores such as cooking dinner or helping with cleaning duties to show how it feels to seek assistance from others.
Encourage them to express any discomfort they are feeling with a situation and to take responsibility for their actions. If you’re uncertain how best to assist your children, professional advice might be worthwhile; for example speaking to their school or college counselor is another option as someone familiar with your child may provide valuable insights.
