Abstract

The Pampered Child Syndrome is a welcome source of advice for parents or professionals working with children who are given all the love and care they need, yet who remain unhappy, anxious or angry.

This book argues that we live in a society where real progress has been made in the development of child-centered parenting, education and care, but that this cultural shift has produced a generation of children who are entitled to the same rights as adults but not ready to accept grown-up responsibilities - children who are 'loved too much'. Dr. Maggie Mamen describes common characteristics of the pampered child, and offers practical advice on how to strike an effective balance between caring for and nurturing children while at the same time maintaining authority and respect.

The Pampered Child Syndrome also tackles the difficult issue of child mental health. Drawing on her professional expertise as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Maggie Mamen outlines how the 'symptoms' of the pampered child can be similar to those used to diagnose many common emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric disorders. She flags up the danger of misdiagnosis and asserts the critical importance of maintaining a distinction, offering clear guidance on identifying genuine disorders.

This book will offer valuable support and encouragement to parents, teachers, and health and social care professionals who want to raise children who are confident, happy, healthy, and socially aware.

A Fascinating read full of insights - I liked the author's well-grounded approach. The book has strengthened my belief in the importance of raising children in a balanced way and with clear boundaries. They need to accept the ambivalence of life in order to develop their own inner resources to deal with the outside world and they need to be contained in order to feel safe.
Home Education Advisory Service
The Pampered Child Syndrome is a well-researched and well explained source of advice for anyone bringing up or working with children.
www.adoption-net.co.uk
Maggie Mamen, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with more than 20 years' experience working with children and their parents. Born and raised in London, she lives in Canada. She is the author of Who's in Charge? A Guide to Family Management and Laughter, Love & Limits: Parenting for Life.
They seem to be everywhere. They scream at your favorite restaurant. They run about at the mall. They squirm and whine next to you on a airplaines. They may even be infesting your own home. Clinical psychologist Mamen writes for parents and professionals as she describes how child-centred parenting, education and care creates children being granted the same rights as adults without the same responsibilities. She covers ways to recognize the syndrome, including tracking the depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavior disorders and learning problems often caused or associated with it. She then describes how to manage it and avoid it, giving general objectives, instructions on how to break the cycle of the syndrome, and understand the roles of parents and professionals. She closes with ten strategies that work to spare the rod without spoiling the child.
Book News
This book is very easy read, with and extremely clear and logical structure.
Debate

Pampered Child Syndrome, according to Mamen, affects all socio-economic groups... Mamen shows how children provided with a high level of service, protected from discomfort, embarrassment and unhappiness are deprived of the opportunity to manage disappointment, frustration and take responsibility for their actions. They fail to see their effect on others or feel guilt or remorse. These children grow unhappy, anxious and aggressive.

Refreshingly, she dares to say, whatever happened to "No" and "Because I said so"? With its sections on how to recognize, manage and avoid the syndrome, the book is a practical resource for parents, teachers, health and social care professionals.

This book offers advice on working with children who are given everything they want. The author identifies the `symptoms' of the pampered child and explains the dangers of misdiagnosis.

Children Now
Dr Maggie Mamen offers advice to parents on how to strike a balance between nurturing children while at the same time maintaining authority and demanding respect. This book is a welcome source of advice for parents or professionals working with children who are given all the love and care they need, yet who remain unhappy, anxious or angry.
Practical Professional Child Care
A fascinating read full of insights... I liked the author's well grounded approach. This book has strengthened my belief in the importance of raising children in a balanced way and with clear boundaries. They need to accept the ambivalence of life in order to develop their own inner resources to deal with the outside world and they need to be contained in order to feel safe.
Home Education Advisory Service