We sometimes observe that spoiled children contract a…
“We sometimes observe that spoiled children contract a habit of annoying quite wantonly those who have charge of them, and seem tomeasure their own sense of well-being, not by what they do, but by the degree of reaction they can cause. It is vain to get rid of them by not minding them: if purring and humming is not noticed, they squeal and screech; then if you chide and console them, they find the experiment succeeds, and they begin again. The child will sit in your arms contented if you do nothing. If you take a book and read, he commences hostile operations.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Children may seek attention by provoking reactions, learning that causing disturbance satisfies them more than actual behavior.
In simple terms: Kids crave attention, often by being annoying.
Key Takeaway
Ignore minor annoyances; address underlying needs.
Themes
attention
behavior
parenting
psychology
Mood
frustrated
reflective
Type
advice
psychological
When to use this quote
- parent‑child interactions
- classroom management
- caregiver stress
- discipline strategies
Key Concepts
reinforcement
dependency
emotional regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can caregivers redirect attention without reinforcing annoyance?
- What alternative behaviors can fulfill the child's need for engagement?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring may reinforce the behavior if not paired with positive engagement.