15/12/2020
Parents love giving their kids presents for Christmas but what happens when they give too much?
According to psychologist Dr Sean Grover, “Too many gifts can turn little darlings into ungrateful bullies who are never satisfied - no matter how much they get from their parents."
So before you go overboard and shower a child with Christmas gifts, Dr Grover says to consider these negative outcomes.
Too Many Gifts...
Written by Dr Grover for ‘Psychology Today’
1. Increases destructive behaviour.
Kids who engage in greedy gift grabbing during holidays suffer negative social and emotional ramifications that extend well beyond their childhood. According to a study from the University of Missouri, as adults, such children are more prone to credit-card debt, gambling, and compulsive shopping. Sure, unwrapping a mountain of gifts produces a burst of happiness—but it has no staying power. Instead, it feeds an insatiable hunger for more.
2. Lowers self-esteem.
Lasting self-esteem is rooted in a strong sense of identity—not materialism. Excess does not equal increased self-worth. Studies have shown there is no correlation between material possessions and self-esteem or happiness. In fact, children who have fewer material possessions but positive relationships with parents and peers score higher on self-esteem assessment tests. They also have fewer behaviour problems and demonstrate more resilience in the face of obstacles than kids with overindulging parents.
3. Robs children of lasting happiness.
Researchers publishing in Harvard’s Journal of Happiness found that people valued gifts they purchased for others more than gifts they bought for themselves. And when those “givers” completed a personal satisfaction scale, they consistently scored higher than those who purchased gifts for themselves. Helping your child develop generosity fosters a healthy sense of interconnectedness and boosts personal happiness. Kids who only value receiving gifts are more likely to grow to be egocentric and lack empathy.
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How do you manage gift-giving and present buying in your family?😬😇