Preventing Entitlement – Episode 22

We all want to raise responsible, grateful, helpful children. But that can be a challenge in a society where children feel they “need” the latest and greatest phone, clothing, etc. and where children feel put-upon to help out around the house because apparently none of their friends ever have to clean their rooms or do the dishes or complete whatever task we ask of them.

In today’s episode, Saren is interviewed by the great moms who run the podcast Family Looking Up. Here are some of the topics addressed:

• What entitlement is and why it is detrimental to the overall happiness and success of our children’s lives.
• What we can do when we hear “My friends have this” or “ My friends don’t have to do that”.
• How to raise entitlement-free kids without being a “no mom” (always quick to say no to your kids)
• How gratitude is a great antidote to entitlement.  Saren discusses specific ways to teach gratitude to children.  
• How to teach children the right principles that help them to FEEL the right things instead of just DOING the right things.
• How we can open our children’s eyes to their blessings without going to Ghana.
• How to set up a chore system for children; the pros and cons of different systems, why a chore system is worth the trouble, and how to implement a flexible system that works (and not beat ourselves up about it if we aren’t super consistent about that system!) 

 

About Saren Eyre Loosli

Saren adores her five energetic, adventurous kids (ages 13-18) but doesn't totally adore the mess and busyness and bickering that that comes with them! She grew up all over the world, got her Bachelor's degree at Wellesley College and did her Masters in Education at Harvard University (these days, the diplomas on her wall mostly serve as visual aids when she's trying to convince her all-too-smart teenagers that she DOES know a thing or two!). She went on to design and implement enrichment programs for kids and training programs for teachers. But it was only after she finally found her wonderful husband, Jared, and had five children in five years, that her education and work experience began in earnest!

When she's not trying to answer five - or six - different needs and questions at once, she works on this website (she's Founder and Director of Power of Families).

She currently lives in Ogden, Utah and loves reading, hiking, and biking with her family (or by herself when possible!). She often struggles with balance but finds joy in being involved in many things that are meaningful to her.