Learn how to deal with spoiled adults effectively with practical tips and strategies. Setting boundaries, communicating assertively, and seeking support are key.
Did you think that only children can be spoiled? Nothing could be further from the truth… a spoiled child can become a spoiled adult, and dealing with such people can become quite an obstacle course. If you’ve ever encountered a spoiled child, you know that witnessing this type of behavior can be very frustrating. But when a child makes the transition from childhood to adulthood without considering the needs of others, things get complicated.
How to Deal with Spoiled Adults.
When this happens it often develops into poor relationship patterns that continue throughout life, especially when no one has done anything about it. Dealing with a spoiled adult requires different levels of reinforcement through conversation and education. Simply fighting back with your own aggression will only make things worse and justify the kind of behavior you are seeking to eradicate.
Dealing with this type of person will require a lot of communication skills and tons of patience. You may even wonder if it’s really worth it to maintain this type of relationship with this type of person. Sometimes, the spoiled adult may be a coworker or a boss and you need to know how to deal with them so that you don’t get fired. Maybe it’s your partner or a family member… in any case, there are times when it’s best to know how to deal with a spoiled adult so that you don’t get overwhelmed when they’re in your presence.
Below we are going to explain how to deal with a spoiled adult so that if you have someone like that in your life, you can know how to communicate without ending up fighting over their arrogance.
Open communication levels
Keep the levels of communication open at all times, even when the situation becomes unbearable, giving a spoiled adult the opportunity to express his or her opinions in a calm and rational manner. Allow for a cooling-off period if there are strong displays of rude, abrupt or potentially aggressive behaviour before speaking up.
Don’t respond negatively
Never respond negatively to spoiled behavior. Remember that some people use spoiled behavior to evoke particular responses from their targets and making similar displays to you will only escalate the problem. Use positive responses only to break the cycle of behavior and set the stage for better communication.
Have empathy
Put yourself in the other adult ‘s shoes and consider their reasons behind an angry outburst. Never tolerate spoiled behavior, but always try to identify the reasons behind what happens. Remember that the spoiled adult may have a valid point to make, but conditioning from previous experiences prevents them from doing so in a controlled manner.
Define the limits
Set clear boundaries and highlight the differences between acceptable and unacceptable behavior even when putting theory into practice makes you uncomfortable. Be concise in how you expect others to communicate with you and always be very clear that even the most frustrating situations are easier to deal with when people show mutual respect.
Don’t be condescending
Never patronize other adults, as this often causes you to respond in a childish and immature manner. Take responsibility for being an adult during heated arguments by applying restraint and complete control over your own actions. Always remember that by setting a mature example yourself, a spoiled adult has someone to learn from when it comes to controlling their own behavior. Be a role model, not part of the problem.
Use praise
Use praise as a tool when a spoiled adult deals with frustrating circumstances in a calm and responsible manner, but be diplomatic in the way you communicate. Never put down other people by treating them like a child. Avoid focusing on aspects of spoiled behavior and express your praise by acknowledging the validity of an opinion. Make it clear that you will fully consider their feelings or requirements.
Use forgiveness
Be prepared to forgive outbursts. Show compassion and understanding to provide excellent examples of mature adult behavior, and remember that the best way to resolve any communication problem is to lead by example.