Every parent wants the best for their child. Love, attention, and support are essential parts of a child’s growth and development. However, sometimes parents unknowingly adopt a parenting style that overly indulges their child by making them the center of attention in every situation. A child who constantly receives special treatment tends to grow up with the expectation that the world will always revolve around them.

This parenting style is often referred to as overindulgent parenting or an excessive form of permissive parenting. In everyday life, this phenomenon is often labeled as the “little prince/princess syndrome,” where a child becomes accustomed to full attention, is unprepared for disappointment, and struggles to accept that they are not the only important person in a social setting.

One of the most significant impacts of overindulgent parenting is on a child’s mental health. A child who is used to being the center of attention in every situation may struggle to manage their emotions when they do not receive the same treatment outside the home.

Here are some mental health effects that may arise:

1. Low Frustration Tolerance

Children who are always given whatever they want without any effort may grow up expecting life to always go their way. When faced with rejection, failure, or situations that don’t meet their expectations, they are likely to become easily frustrated and find it difficult to cope.

For instance, a child who is constantly the center of attention at home may struggle to accept that at school, teachers cannot always prioritize them. This can lead to anger, annoyance, or even reluctance to attend school.

2. Increased Risk of Narcissism

A child treated like “royalty” within the family can grow into a narcissistic individual. They may develop an inflated sense of self-confidence—not because of genuine achievements, but because they are used to being admired by those around them.

In the long run, this attitude can harm their social relationships because they may find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. They might also believe they are more important than others and struggle to show empathy.

3. Excessive Emotional Dependency

Despite appearing confident, an overindulged child may develop a high level of emotional dependency on parents or others who regularly give them attention. They may feel anxious or insecure in environments where they are no longer the center of attention.

As they grow older, they may have trouble forming healthy relationships because they are used to receiving attention without having to reciprocate.

In addition to mental health effects, overindulgent parenting can also impact how children learn and grow academically.

1. Lack of Intrinsic Motivation

Children who are constantly praised and rewarded without putting in much effort may lose intrinsic motivation to learn. They become accustomed to receiving rewards without understanding the value of effort and hard work.

For example, if a child is excessively praised every time they complete a school task—regardless of the effort involved—they may grow up believing that learning doesn’t require genuine effort.

2. Difficulty Facing Academic Challenges

Children who are not used to facing difficulties may give up easily when encountering academic challenges. They might be reluctant to try new things or explore more difficult areas because they are not accustomed to the feeling of failure or frustration.

For instance, if a child is always helped with their homework without being given the chance to try on their own, they may struggle when required to learn independently at higher levels of education.

3. Inability to Adapt to Different Learning Environments

In school or university settings, children must learn to share attention with peers. Teachers cannot always give special attention to just one child, and this can be a major challenge for those who are used to being fully attended to at home.

If a child is unprepared for this reality, they may feel ignored or unappreciated—when in fact, they simply need to learn how to adapt to a broader learning dynamic.

What Should Parents Pay Attention To?

As parents, it’s important to understand that giving attention and love to a child is good, but it must be balanced. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Teach Patience and Tolerance
   Children need to learn that they are not the only ones entitled to attention. Teach them to wait their turn, listen to others, and understand that not all their desires will always be fulfilled.
2. Encourage Intrinsic Motivation
   Let children experience the satisfaction of their own efforts without always needing rewards or excessive praise. The motivation to learn should come from within, not just from parental or external expectations.
3. Set Clear Consequences
   Children need to understand that their actions have consequences. If they make mistakes, don’t always rescue them from the fallout. This helps them learn responsibility and think more critically about their actions.
4. Teach Empathy and Social Skills
   Children must learn to share attention and understand the feelings of others. Encourage them to listen and consider other people’s perspectives, not just think about themselves.

What to Avoid and Watch Out For

• Don’t always shield your child from frustration. They need to learn to face disappointment as a normal part of life.
• Avoid giving excessive praise without a clear reason. If every little thing is treated as extraordinary, they may lose the ability to evaluate themselves objectively.
• Watch for signs of social difficulties. If your child struggles to make friends because they always want to be the center of attention, this could indicate a lack of empathy.

Overindulgent parenting can negatively affect a child’s mental health and learning process. Children may struggle with emotional regulation, academic challenges, and unrealistic expectations for attention from their surroundings.

As parents, it’s crucial to balance love with discipline so children can grow into independent, confident individuals with healthy social relationships. By teaching patience, responsibility, and empathy, we help prepare them to face the real world more effectively.