I'm an Ungrateful Brat! What do I do?

Question

OK I am such an ungrateful brat! I realized today when I was sitting in a park and saw a new iPhone 3G someone had and really wanted it, meanwhile I just got a new Sidekick LX 2 days ago. Whenever I get something I always want the newer best thing. Whenever I get somehting and don't want it anymore I either just destroy it so I get the next best thing or just return what I have and buy it and then in a few days get sick of it and throw it away. I feel really bad about it too! Like I just got my room redone and I already want to change it again. I have had like 110 cell phones since like 4 years ago and none of them have been right, I have found a problem with all of them just so I could get a new one. My parents bought me a laptop 2 months ago and I already want a newer better one. I feel so unappreciative of what I have especially because of all the stuff I wasted and that there are poor children in the world with nothing. I buy clothes that I love and then a few weeks later end up throwing them away or purposly destroying so I can get new ones. Like my parents do have a lot of money and dont mind buying me things but I am begining to realize that I am so wasteful and dont really like what I have. Envy and greed constantly possess me and its not OK. When I see something I like like a house or car or cell phone or shirt of ring I always envy the person with it and lie to my friends saying I have it. This is a real problem for me. I've turned into a spoiled brat and have wasted so much money. What can I do to be greatful for what I have and appreciate all the nice things I get without having the desire to have something better. I am a teenager and I understand it is somewhat normal but I feel I have turned into a monster and don't like anything I have, and I have a lot of nice things. What can I do to control my envy and greed? How can I become greatful for what I have? Thanks! Real helpful answers only, I already know I'm a monster/brat. Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

if u have a friend that doesnt always get what they want or their parents dont have alot of money go to their house for a night and see what its like or how they deal with it. im considered spoiled and i only get new things at like christmas or every 3 or 4 months. and i dont have the biggest best cell phone or the best game station. i have clothes but i dont get new ones like every week or 2.

Answer 2

sorry i didnt read everything but it seems like you atleast have a heart you care about hte straving poor children dirying everyday bc they have no clean drinking water and nothing but rags on themselves think about that everytime you want somethig also relized someone will always have something better then you and even if you feel like you are the best your not and ur should be thankful for what you have good luck!

Answer 3

its awesome that you understand you have a "problem" (if that's what you want to call it). There are too many kids out there who are spoiled and don't want to change. Maybe you could talk to your parents about only giving you a certain amount of money each month. Basically just try to limit yourself the best you can. Make rules for yourself like : you can only buy a new cellphone every 6 months or something. start out slow, and sooner or later you won't feel like a brat.

Hope I helped!

Answer 4

For one thing, you seem self-aware enough to put this all together so you've already done half the work. Seriously, in the end, your phone and laptop mean zip. Nothing. (Expensive) pieces of metal and plastic.

Maybe you should consider getting a job or volunteering someplace? Talk to someone who knows you well. Maybe they can give you a better perspective on things? I think, you just need to experience life a bit more to really get it.

Good luck and hope it helps!  

Answer 5

yes, your parents have spoiled you... but your real problem is that you don't research technology before you ask your parents to buy it. So here's what you do, keep up with the latest and greatest coming out like on websites like engadget.com... once you know what's coming out, and all the features, then you will make better decisions buying them. Also, Apple comes out with new stuff ALL THE TIME... so it's gonna be pretty hard to keep up with them. You also need to realize that when your parents are gone, you wil have to get these things on your own. Independence is a wonderful trait to have, you should practice on obtaining that trait. first step: be grateful with what you have; material things come and go, but you really need to concentrate on what matters most: the people who care about you.  :)

Answer 6

wow, hey i feel that way sometimes and yes...i do it sometimes too. its natural for ppl to want nicer things then they already do. rite now i dont know what u should do about it, i guess its something u just get over as u get older. u seemto learn to appreciate the smaller things..but hey just remember ur not alone :)

Answer 7

I think you need to learn to be happy with yourself first.

Answer 8

Sounds like you could use a counselor to help you understand why you feel you need all these things. Some people a driven to have stuff, however, the end result is usually bankruptcy or other serious problems. The other thing you should do is get a job, so you know how hard you have to work to save up to purchase something you really want, that will help you get some perspective. I agree with some other responders that maybe you should try to talk with your parents. Also look for classes offered in your community to learn about finances and budgeting. I am glad to see you realize that there is an issue, and I wish you well as you move through this process.  

Answer 9

Do what you think is best.

Answer 10

Go to a womens' shelter with a box of old stuff you don't need or use.   Seeing grateful children might change your outlook.

Also, get a job. Deliver papers, mow grass, paint houses...work and earn the cash.  

Answer 11

Try to bite your toung and try to deal with what you do have. try not to complain about what you have and point out the good things about them. And when you want something else try not to show it or tell anyone. keep it to yourself, write it down how much you want it and throw the paper away. Maybe try ONLY asking for something if its your birthday or Christmas( or what ever days your fam & friend give gifts).

And remember nobody really cares what you have, they care about you  ,who you are ,how you treat them and all the good times they have with you. If you become too boastful about the things you have and the things you lie about having, you could end up pushing your friends away and they may only start to like you for what you have, or not like you at all. you might give them the feeling that you care more about having the newest phone or car than being their friend or hanging out with them.

Are you a Leo by the way? lol just asking. =) well you just like the finer things in life and you like constant change. you dont like the same thing for too long. I bet you don't like to stay in the same place for too long either and you always start new things without finishing the last. I could be wrong but I'm just going out on a limb here.

good luck!!

Answer 12

Wow you are a brat :P. Get a job, workout, be happy, and if you wan't something really bad don't get it

Answer 13

You need self control, you can achieve it if you put that mind sense into your head. You can't just learn it, you do it. OR, you can have someone slap you or do some thing to you very annoying when ever such bratiness* comes.

Answer 14

You aren't a monster. You were raised this way, it's not your fault.... You've done what most people can't do and realized that you should be more grateful, that's a start..

I suggest talking to your parents and telling them how you feel...

It would make you feel better to get it off your chest and they could help :)

Answer 15

Umm.....get grateful would be a great start.

Answer 16

You sound very ungrateful but at the same time I think it is normal for teenagers to act like that. Maybe you should take a trip to volunteer with homeless people or victims of some sort. Im sure you know people less fortunate are out there but being around them may give you a new outlook on life if you really want to change =)

Answer 17

your lucky, i wish i had a cell phone. =(

twll your parents to stop spending so much money on you.

work for you money. find a job.

once you have to make your own money you wont want to spend it as much.

also if you dont want anything anymore donate it to good will, dont destroy it

Answer 18

You know what the problem is, now do a 180.  Next time, and here after, when you want to buy something "newer and better", walk directly to the bank instead.  If not, talk to your parents, and explain to them what you just did to us.  Ask them to help you by taking that same money they'd spend on your whims, and put half in the bank for you and the other half be given to a charity.  A good charity like a children's cancer research hospital or something.  When you do this, you will be amazed at how much of a high it gives you, and maybe you'll get off that park bench, and playing with a toy, and donate some of your time too.  Good luck, you're already halfway there by recognizing your own shortcomings.

Answer 19

It's good that you've recognized the problem.  Here's what I recommend:

Take a notebook with you and as you go through your day, write down what you want when an event happens.  At the end of the day, ask yourself if you really need those items.  Do this for a few days.  This may help to curb your spontaneous desires.

Also, see if you can do some fun things with your parents for little or no money.  That might help you appreciate simple things.  Or maybe you could start buying things you want with money your earn and not ask for.  Work and then buy the great things.

Answer 20

realize that most people arn't as lucky as you and be happy with what you have.  

Answer 21

I've never seen a teenager actually admit to this, though I know they are plentiful!  I think you're WONDERFUL for bringing this question up.  I hope people who give you rude answers don't bring you down.  It's truly a remarkable thing that you can see it, admit it and want to do something about it.  I think you should show this question to your Mom and Dad and apologize to them.  

Now, here's a note for your folks:

YOU are as much if not MORE to blame than your child.  By giving her/him everything, you've created a person who has no appreciation for anything.  In trying to buy their love, you've created a material person.  But, you must have done something right.  Look at this question.  I think you are lucky to have such a good child and one who see's and wants to correct their ways.

More power to all of you and God Bless.  I hope you put that brain of yours to work and do good in the world, you are definitely on the right track.

Answer 22

You need to talk with your parents. This type of behavior will not get better - it will only get worse. If you don't change it then you will alienate everyone around you - yes there will be people who will hang around but it will be those who want to use you.

Envy and greed can only result in problems - how can you be in a relationship with anyone and all you do is thing about yourself.

What happens when your parents are no longer around - what will you do? The monies that they leave you will you spend it all until you become penniless. Then you wind up seeing the other side of the situation - people who do not have or have to go without.

You really need to grow up and get some counseling. You are not a monster (but this type of behavior is horrible and needs to change - and you can only change yourself by realizing and then doing something about it - you have done the first step by acknowledging your actions. But you need to check yourself and get some counseling on this situation - as well as some tough love from your parents - they need to stop indulging you - it will only lead to heart ache for them.

When you don't appreciate what you have eventually - all of these things will be gone and you will not have the resources to get anything else because you have depleted it.

Answer 23

Well I have somewhat of the same problem but I "tough it out". Lol.

I do it with people sometimes as horrible as that is. I want the "best" boyfriend and I compare them to the other guys that I have a shot with. I always want what's best out there, the best phone, the best laptop, best clothes, whatever is the "best".

The downfall of those things is that they cost a lot of money. And if you continue to do this when you're an adult you'll go bankrupt, trust me lol.

You need to learn to settle for less. I know it sounds hard but just "tough it out" and hopefully you'll get somewhere. That's the best advice I can give you.

Even if it's not the best, it helps you get through life right? Lol.

Answer 24

Okay well, you're going to have to think about buying the kind of items that haven't just came out and are displayed on commercials. You should, and want, to buy the ones that are somewhat old, but not too old to the point where they're fat and extremely ugly of course. Just our modern day kind of look. But of course, just like any other person, be reasonable. You want to buy the laptop that has great space and stuff. And when you have it, think to yourself before ever trying to destroy it.

"Hey, this is great. Good space, fast internet, it's perfect."

You do NOT want to go with something else just cause it looks cool or someone else has it. It's a definite waist of money, and it only causes yourself to act the same about buying new things that everyone else has. To appreciate your contemporary self and look in your room, your items, your clothes, you have you somehow think, or even talk to yourself if you have to, to say, "Hey this is pretty nice, I think I'll stick with it." I know it's going to bother you like an itch, but try really hard, and if you do care about the children in Africa, then it should only cause you to further prevent your problem.

Answer 25

You already know what your problems are, so you know how to fix them..... just do the opposite of everything you just said?

Answer 26

get a job, that way when you want something, you can buy it yourself and waste your own money...thus, not feeling bad, just broke. :p

Answer 27

Your parents need to stop buying you things.Next they need to spend time with you and you all need to do things together as afamily.A trip to Mexico or Haiti would be great.Tell them you want to see the poor side of those places.

It sounds like you are still able to change,and this will help.

Answer 28

ask your heart what you want to do and what you want, and then just do it, your family would understand and help you

Answer 29

Here is an idea quit acting like that....when you get old you just be a bitter friendless old person...Material things do not matter and they never will..So quit being a big whiny cry baby brat and get off your butt and change....donate stuff, think of the needs of other people...quit thinking of yourself all the time, because you know what, people will think more of your personality and how you treat other people, then whether or not you have the latest technology...My words of advice...

"Get over yourself"  Please dont grow up to be one of those losers that think they are better than everyone else...AND YOU KNOW THE ONLY REASON YOU POSTED THIS QUESTION WAS TO BRAG ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE...

News flash you aren't that great..

Answer 30

first don't buy anything new and don't let your parents buy you anything. Then get a job and see what its like to save money. That will teach you a lesson that you will never forget...trust me I've been living that lesson ever since I was old enough to work

Answer 31

Oh you said a mouth full when you said that you are an ungrateful brat.

Just what makes you think you are so special that you can act this way and continue to get by with it. Your parents have totally ruined you. You need to get a grip on yourself maybe spend some of that money on some counceling because if you don't get some help and learn to control you greed and envy of others you are going to grow up to be a lonely money grubbing spinster because no one will ever make you happy