These 10 forms of indulgence are typical examples. Not every family exhibits all of them, but most families display several types of indulgence or mild manifestations of each—a pattern worth noting. 1. Special Treatment The child holds a privileged position within the family, receiving special consideration in all matters. Examples include: - Eating "exclusively"—the best food is placed before them for their sole enjoyment;Being the "only child" means grandparents might skip their own birthdays while the child's birthday demands a large cake and gifts... Such children feel special, accustomed to being above others, inevitably becoming selfish, lacking empathy, and unable to care for others.During holidays, relatives and friends often tease and entertain them endlessly. Sometimes adults sit in a circle surrounding the child, repeatedly encouraging performances amid constant applause. Such children see themselves as the center of attention, truly becoming "little suns." Everyone revolves around them, leaving no peace all day. Their attention is severely scattered, and they become hyperactive around people—sometimes disrupting conversations when guests arrive.
3. Easily satisfied
Children get whatever they want. Some parents even give

preschoolers

and elementary school children generous allowances, making it even easier for them to feel satisfied. Such children inevitably develop bad habits: they don't value possessions, prioritize material comforts, waste money, and lack consideration for others. They also grow up without any patience or willingness to endure hardship.
4. Indulging Laziness
Allowing children to have no routine in eating, sleeping, playing, or studying—letting them do as they please: sleeping late, skipping meals, loafing around during the day, watching TV late into the night, etc. Such children grow up lacking ambition and curiosity, taking a laissez-faire approach to life, being easily distracted in their endeavors, and failing to see things through.
5. Begging and Pleading
For example: coaxing and begging a child to eat or sleep, promising to tell three stories only if they finish their meal. The child's mindset becomes: the more you beg, the more they act coy. Not only does this fail to teach right from wrong or cultivate responsibility and grace, but it also completely erodes parental authority.
6. Overprotecting and Doing Everything for Them
When I asked some mothers if they required their children to help with chores, some replied, "I can barely bear to see them hurt—how could I make them work?" Others said, "Having the 'little one' do things just causes more trouble. It's easier for me to do it myself."Thus, three- or four-year-olds still need to be fed and can't dress themselves, while five- or six-year-olds do no household chores. They never learn the joy of labor or the responsibility of lightening their parents' burdens. Continuing this overprotection inevitably robs them of becoming diligent, kind, empathetic, capable, and ambitious children. This is no exaggeration.
7. Overreacting
Children are naturally fearless—unafraid of water, darkness, falls, or illness. After a tumble, they often silently pick themselves up and resume play. So why do some children later become timid and prone to tears?This is often the result of parents and grandparents reacting with panic when children get sick or hurt. The ultimate consequence of spoiling is that children become unable to let their parents leave their side. These children are branded with timidity.
8. Depriving Independence
In the name of absolute safety, parents forbid children from leaving home or playing with other kids. Worse still, some children become "little tails," never straying from their parents or elders—sleeping in their arms, sitting nestled close, carried on their backs. Treated as if they might melt if held too tightly or fly away if let go.Such children grow timid and incompetent, losing self-confidence and developing dependency. They often become "tigers at home"—bullying family members while shrinking like mice outside—resulting in severe character flaws. 9. Fear of Tantrums Having been indulged since infancy, children resort to crying, lying on the floor, or refusing meals to coerce parents when displeased.Overindulgent parents resort to coaxing, surrendering, yielding, and accommodating. Parents who fear their child's tantrums are ineffective parents; children who lash out at their parents become heartless rebels, sowing seeds of selfishness, cruelty, willfulness, and lack of self-control in their character.
10. Defending the Child in Front of Others
Sometimes when Dad disciplines the child, Mom intervenes: "Don't be too strict—he's still young."" When parents discipline their child, the grandmother might intervene: "You can't expect too much too soon; he'll improve naturally as he grows up. When you were little, you were nowhere near as good as he is now!" Naturally, such a child becomes "untrainable"—devoid of any sense of right and wrong, constantly shielded by a "protective umbrella" and a "safe haven." The consequences are not only a distorted personality in the child but sometimes even family discord.