Lazy Child Syndrome: A worrisome reality

Parents today are grappling with a long list of issues topped by a very strange situation,

which funnily is of their own making. A disturbing question that comes to mind is: are

parents knowingly or unknowingly raising lazy kids?

If one takes a close look at the daily routine of urban kids, there is rarely anything that they

have to work hard for, almost everything is given to them on a platter: being born with the

proverbial silver or golden spoon.

So, is there something that parents can do to raise a child who is intrinsically motivated?

Some time-tested techniques are listed, based on research and supported by a large

number of case studies.

1. Offer Challenges

Push your child’s limits on a daily basis. Walk the talk and set the *bar high. Give them tasks

or participate in tasks with them that are challenging. Timed activities are the perfect

solution to laziness and procrastination. Keep pushing the limits of whatever you know they

are capable of: Cycling a certain distance, running, jigsaw puzzles, games and the list is

endless. The magic trick is to CREATE CHALLENGES. When kids realize they can do and

achieve on their own it becomes a huge motivator.

Warning: *This must not be interpreted as setting high standards only to become cold-

hearted achievers.

2. Foster Intrinsic Motivation

It has been proven time and again by psychological research that kids/people who are

motivated by internal drivers are certainly more successful in every little thing they do.

Thus, if parents and teachers inculcate the habit of saying, “You must be so proud of

yourself, instead of saying I’m so proud of you.” Intrinsically motivated children/people

have a growth mindset.

Warning: Too much praise leads to maladjusted children who learn to be both

manipulative and appeasing.

3. Walk the talk

Kids always look up to adults in their immediate environment especially parents, to begin

with and then teachers and others. Children tend to emulate adults. It’s sometimes hard to

admit, but when you look at your child it’s often like looking in a mirror. If you model active,

challenge-seeking behaviour, your child will follow in your footsteps. 

Warning: Do what you say: actions speak louder than words.

4. Set Clear Expectations

The sooner you begin, the better it is. If clear a cut benchmark of expectations is set with

mutual discussion and worked on for a period of a month then reviewed whether to repeat

or rework on it. Children understand things better when it is in the form of conversations

rather than empty orders about your expectations (i.e. “I expect your room to be tidy before

bed every night”)

5. Strategies for developing Self-Sufficiency

More than setting expectations it is important to give them the tools and strategies to meet

your expectations. Offer training on completing tasks, help them master skills you expect

them to complete on their own, and also set up an accountability system. 

6. Screen Time a Frenemy?

We live in a highly digitised world and there is no escaping screen time, but as parents, we

can certainly regulate it and teach kids responsible use of it with the inbuilt feature of child

safety. Most of the shows, games, and apps kids are using are specifically designed be

addictive. They want kids to mindlessly scroll and click for hours on end, because it makes

them more money (Just like adults do with reels). Avoid this trap by setting strict screen

time limits for your family. 

So, you could ask yourself a few basic questions:

1. Are you creating an environment that leads to lazy kids?

2. Are you making children independent or dependent?

3. Are your children becoming robots?

Note: Let's discuss our views and examples in the comment section. Would appreciate your participation. :)

Bhatakti Butterfly