Little Emperor Syndrome In Children – What And Why?

Children with Little Emperor Syndrome become authoritarian and try to exercise power and control the rest of their family members.

Little Emperor Syndrome in children is a relatively new phenomenon, also known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD in child psychology. The children who exhibit this syndrome try to gain power and control everyone around them on a daily basis.

These children’s parents have big problems when it comes to making decisions that go against the child’s wishes. This can even be about trivial things, such as choosing which TV channel to watch or what to make for dinner.

This goes beyond these questions, of course, to topics such as where to vacation, buying new toys, or even decisions about whether or not to have a new sibling.

How to detect Little Emperor syndrome in children

As the name indicates, this syndrome is characterized by the child refusing to let others make decisions for him.

He will feel in constant control of his surroundings, and if he does not feel he has that control, then he usually goes straight to aggression.

Here is what often happens in these situations:

• Outbursts of rage and outbursts.
• Verbal and physical aggression towards their parents and superior.
• Attempts at psychological manipulation of their parents.
• Frequent egocentric behavior.
• Almost no tolerance for frustrations.
• Excessive and irrational demands.
• He plays victim to try to persuade his parents.
  

Why does little emperor syndrome occur?

The researchers point to the theory that this problem arises due to the very limited amount of time that children spend with their parents and other adult family members. The causes seem to be more social than biological.

There is an undeniable fact that supports this idea. Children are not born as tyrants , but they become so as the years go by. Furthermore, the experts tell us that the average age of children with this syndrome is going further and further down.

What do parents’ working hours have to do with Little Emperor Syndrome in children? It seems that the lack of time with their children makes them unable to establish clear boundaries as parents.

In addition, there is a sense of guilt that causes them to say yes more than they should to their children’s requests and desires. Because of this, children discover that manipulating them is no problem.

It’s not something that only happens to only children. In fact, there are many children without siblings who have been properly brought up and who do not suffer from this psychological disorder.

In the same way, there are also young children with siblings who try to control them and their parents.

What to do with such children?

The first thing to deal with is the use of violence. Whether it is against parents, siblings, teachers or school authorities, it must be stopped.

To achieve this, the example and hard work of the parents is fundamental. The importance of dialogue, respect and tolerance must be transferred.

On the other hand, you also need to work hard to teach empathy to the child. This means you need to teach them to think about how others feel in each situation and how they can respond positively to this.

And, perhaps most importantly, setting boundaries and restricting permissions from the start.

At all times, the child must understand that there are rules of conduct, both at home and in other institutions. He needs to understand that he must follow these rules and let them control his life.

In children where this learning goes easily and shows results, it is also important to introduce positive reactions. Recognition and rewards for following the rules will make the child follow them with greater ease and more positivity.

Of course, then there is one last aspect that is as central as it is undisputed: time.

Having his parents with him and having them play their true role will prevent the child from suffering from Little Emperor Syndrome at all.

He wants to know that his parents are there, that they take care of him and that he must respect them.

School and adolescence

We end by mentioning something that is becoming more and more common nowadays.

Of course, teachers often oppose the demands of uneducated students. In return , they often receive complaints and even abuse from parents who question their authority and their decisions.

This only exacerbates Little Emperor Syndrome in their children. Once again, the child uses his manipulative abilities to get his will with these demands and uses his parents to his own advantage.

There is also something similar that happens in adolescence. At this point, the children are already unaware of the boundaries, and seriously believe that they can always get their will.

This can lead to violent behavior towards parents and friends. It is essential to seek professional help if this happens.

In short, parents on the one hand have to guarantee that their children never lack for anything while growing up.

But on the other hand , they should never be afraid to establish rules and boundaries. If not, then your child’s studies, future work and social development will be severely affected.