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The Age of Overindulgence

Raising likeable, responsible, respectful children.

Parenting
Mom Is Smothering My Younger Brother

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on September 24, 2024

This is a true story of what happens to a son when his mother overparents and smothers him following the death of her husband.

This is a true story of what happens to a son when his mother overparents and smothers him following the death of her husband.

Grit
11 Commonsense Ways to Raise Gritty Children

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on September 6, 2024

Does your child persevere when faced with adversity or just give up? If the latter, maybe you should teach them to be gritty. Yes, grit can be learned.

Does your child persevere when faced with adversity or just give up? If the latter, maybe you should teach them to be gritty. Yes, grit can be learned.

Motivation
How to Raise Gritty Children

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on August 19, 2024

Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Brody Malone have overcome significant personal obstacles in pursuit of Olympic medals. Each has grit. Here's how to teach your children to be gritty.

Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Brody Malone have overcome significant personal obstacles in pursuit of Olympic medals. Each has grit. Here's how to teach your children to be gritty.

Workplace Dynamics
The Challenge of Working With an Overindulged Adult

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on January 6, 2024

You probably have had a coworker who felt privileged, coopted your ideas, took credit for them, and expected to get promoted even though they didn't deserve it. Here's what to do.

You probably have had a coworker who felt privileged, coopted your ideas, took credit for them, and expected to get promoted even though they didn't deserve it. Here's what to do.

Parenting
Developmental Affirmations That May Change Your Life

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

The goal of the developmental affirmations is simple. It offer ideas, concepts, and permissions in ways that are respectful and don't cause cognitive dissonance, or distress.

The goal of the developmental affirmations is simple. It offer ideas, concepts, and permissions in ways that are respectful and don't cause cognitive dissonance, or distress.

Adolescence
Is My Child Normal?

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on June 24, 2023

Parents who clearly understand normal human development are better prepared because they know what is and is not normal.

Parents who clearly understand normal human development are better prepared because they know what is and is not normal.

Relationships
Can You Love Your Children Too Much?

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on January 7, 2023

Children need nurture to flourish, but too much can become overindulgence. Overnurturing keeps children from becoming successful and self-confident.

Children need nurture to flourish, but too much can become overindulgence. Overnurturing keeps children from becoming successful and self-confident.

Parenting
The Good Parent's Toolbox

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on December 1, 2022

The next time you travel down the parenting highway and have a "parenting fender-bender," reach for your good parent toolbox and grab the right tool for the job.

The next time you travel down the parenting highway and have a "parenting fender-bender," reach for your good parent toolbox and grab the right tool for the job.

Punishment
Does Any Good Come From Spanking Children?

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on November 15, 2022

Sixty-nine longitudinal studies found no associations with positive outcomes from spanking. Despite many parents' beliefs, no good comes from spanking children.

Sixty-nine longitudinal studies found no associations with positive outcomes from spanking. Despite many parents' beliefs, no good comes from spanking children.

Relationships
When Overindulged Children Come to School

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on September 7, 2022

If overindulgence has a negative impact on children and can affect the classroom, teachers need the ability to make effective and positive changes to deal with it.

If overindulgence has a negative impact on children and can affect the classroom, teachers need the ability to make effective and positive changes to deal with it.

Guilt
Why Do Parents Overindulge Their Children?

David J Bredehoft Ph.D. on August 17, 2022

Parents want the best for their children, but some overindulge. We found that overindulgence was related to specific parental issues, not to the children’s welfare.

Parents want the best for their children, but some overindulge. We found that overindulgence was related to specific parental issues, not to the children’s welfare.