The World (Surprisingly) Doesn't Revolve Around You
Think back to waking up on Christmas Day when you were a kid: Did you get everything you wanted? All the toys on your wishlist? Were you always able to convince your parents so things went your way? If you answered yes, you were likely a spoiled kid. You're used to having everything handed to you on a silver plate. But these traits you grew up with are probably not serving you so well now that you're older. Sounds like you? Here are 20 signs you were raised a spoiled kid—and it's affecting you now in adulthood.
1. Rarely Say "Thank You"
When you grow up being used to getting everything you want, "thank you" just isn't a phrase that regularly shows up in your vocabulary. Even now, you rarely express your appreciation and gratitude. If someone gives you something or does something for you, you expect they do it without needing your thanks in return.
2. Can't Take "No" for an Answer
Your parents gave you everything as a child. The newest toy, the latest gadget, candies, a better room—whatever it was that you wanted, you got it. And growing up with the mindset that you could have everything you wanted means you can't take "no" for an answer now. Again, you expect things to fall at your feet.
3. Have a Hard Time Taking Responsibility
Did you ever break something as a kid? Even if you had, you probably got away with it pretty easily because your parents were always lenient with you. You never had to "own up" to something you did, which meant you likely never learned from your mistakes and you still struggle with taking responsibility for things now.
4. Often Blame Others
You don't just have a hard time taking responsibility—you don't carry the burden at all. Bad mark on a project? It's your teammates' fault for doing their part so sloppily. Late to a work meeting? It's not your fault rush hour was at its peak—even though you could've left earlier. Whatever it is, the blame never falls on your shoulders.
5. Can't Handle Criticism
If you're used to getting everything you want and to be rewarded even when you don't deserve it, it's not just that you can't take "no" for an answer, but you can't handle criticism at all. The moment someone tries to critique your work or your personality, you get extremely defensive. To you, you're always right; everyone else is wrong.
6. Everything Is Yours
When you grow up getting all the toys you wished for, sharing your stuff with others isn't in your nature. No one can touch your belongings but you. But in converse, you can play with other kids' toys and borrow their stuff, because in your head, everything is yours. You still have this same mindset even now, which means people know better than to ask you for your share.
7. Get Upset When Things Don't Go Your Way
Everything went your way when you were a kid; if it didn't, you threw a fit. You cried for hours until your parents gave in. It's the same now that you're an adult. Whenever the slightest thing goes wrong and doesn't unfold in the way you like, you take your frustration and anger out on others or even hold grudges until people apologize to you.
8. You're Entitled
You were entitled as a kid, and you're entitled now. You expect to have things land in the palm of your hand without having to put in the work or effort. You expect things to go your way. You expect people to blindly follow you and meet your demands. That's a habit you haven't grown out of.
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9. Get Disappointed Easily
This shouldn't come as a surprise; after all, if you're accustomed to having the world revolve around you, you probably didn't experience many disappointments as a child. And because of that, you don't deal well when obstacles get in your way, because you never had to grapple with those bumps and hiccups in the past.
10. Struggle with Compromise
As you grow up, most realize that things don't always fall in their favor. Sometimes, we need to make compromises by finding the right balance, rather than expecting—and demanding—that things go our way. But if you never had to make sacrifices or compromises when you were younger, the concept hits you harder (and seems more absurd) in adulthood.
11. Expect Instant Gratification
You can't deal with delayed gratification. If you want something, you expect to get it right away. That's, after all, how life was like for you when you were a kid. Waiting is just not a concept you understand; you think you should be rewarded immediately even without putting in 100%.
12. Rarely Follow Rules
You don't know how to follow rules—you never had to play by the book when you were young, anyway. So when people say you can't do things a certain way, you can't grasp the severity of the consequences you'll face if you ignore them. You just expect the world the be lenient with you the way your parents were.
13. You & Your Needs Always Come First
It doesn't matter if someone else is struggling or dealing with something themselves—your needs come first. After your needs are met and your problems are resolved, then you might spare others a second of your time. Nothing is as important as you, after all.
14. Struggle with Relationships
Because you grew up entitled and accustomed to having everything go your way without needing to make compromises, you struggle with relationships in adulthood. Whether it's friendships or romantic partners, you can't maintain long-term connections. Either it's because they can't stand your personality or because you think no one's "good enough" for you if they don't bend to your will.
15. Set Unrealistic Goals
Having grown up thinking you can get everything you want with a snap of your fingers, you tend to set unrealistic standards and goals. Your parents made success come easy for you when you were a kid, so that's what you're used to. You think you'll get into your dream college because you're simply you. You expect you'll get accepted into your dream job despite not having the experience. To you, these don't seem overly ambitious, because you can't grasp the scale.
16. Get Bored Easily
You're always searching for the next thing to entertain you. You were rarely bored when you were young, because your parents always made sure you had plenty of toys and gadgets to keep you happy. Now that you're an adult, you often feel restless and don't deal well with it.
17. Expect Gifts Without Reciprocating
When it comes to gifts, you expect the best presents from others—even though you don't put the same effort yourself. Scratch that, you rarely even reciprocate in these kinds of exchanges. You think you deserve the best but the needs and wants of others is not your problem.
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18. You Always Had the Latest Tech or Newest Toy
Even if you had the previous version of a certain gadget, if you wanted the newest one, you had to get it. There was no ifs, ands, or buts—or you'd throw a fit. Even now, you're used to having the latest smartphone or whatever is trending, even if buying it is out of your budget.
19. Struggle with Finances
Because you're accustomed to having the latest and greatest, you struggle with finances. Plus, being able to get everything you wanted as a kid meant you never really understood the value of money and how hard it is to work for it until you got older. But even in adulthood, you haven't been able to grow out of these habits.
20. Never Satisfied with What You Have
Yet, even though you have the latest and greatest or whatever's on your wish list, you're still not satisfied. You always want more because you're used to having more; nothing is ever enough for you. After all, you got every and any toy you wanted as a kid, and that mindset has stuck with you even now.
