Entitled Teenager? What It Means, Signs and Tips for Parents

Is your teen rolling their eyes when asked to help with dishes? Do they expect the latest phone just because their friend got one?

These behaviors can be signs of entitled teen behavior. Many moms and dads feel stressed and confused when facing these attitudes. You might wonder if you’ve done something wrong or if this is just normal teen stuff.

The good news is you’re not alone, and there are ways to help. In this post, we’ll look at why teens act entitled, how to spot the warning signs, and what steps you can take.

With some simple changes, you can guide your teen toward gratitude and responsibility while keeping your relationship strong. Let’s tackle this challenge together!

Understanding Teenage Entitlement

When we talk about teenage entitlement, we mean an attitude where teens think they deserve special treatment without doing anything to earn it. They might believe rules don’t apply to them, and they may expect rewards without effort.

Several things contribute to this mindset. Teen brains are still growing, especially the parts that help with judgment and thinking ahead. Social media shows teens a world of instant rewards and perfect lives.

And sometimes, our own parenting choices play a role, too.

Catching these behaviors early makes a big difference. When we respond in helpful ways from the start, we can guide teens toward better habits.

Signs of an Entitled Teenager and Strategies to Deal with It

Spotting entitled behavior early helps you address it before it becomes a habit.

Each warning sign below comes with a practical strategy to help your teen develop a healthier attitude. Remember that change takes time, so be patient as you work together on these issues.

1. Expects Privileges Without Earning Them

Your teen might think they deserve screen time, car use, or money just because. They don’t see these things as privileges to be earned. Instead, they view them as basic rights.

Strategy: Set clear limits

• Be specific about rules and stick to them. Teens need to know what’s expected and that you mean what you say.
• Clear limits provide safety and structure.

2. Rarely Says “Thank You”

Notice if your teen takes things for granted. Do they expect meals, rides, and help with homework without showing thanks? This could be a sign of entitlement.

Strategy: Practice gratitude daily

• Encourage saying “thank you” regularly. Start a dinnertime ritual where everyone shares something they’re grateful for.
• Gratitude is a habit that grows with practice.

3. Gets Upset when Told “No”

Everyone feels disappointed when denied something. But entitled teens often have big, emotional reactions to hearing “no.” They might argue, slam doors, or try to wear you down.

Strategy: Stay calm but firm

• Keep your cool during disagreements. Speak with quiet confidence rather than yelling or making threats.
• Your calm authority teaches respect better than emotional reactions.

4. Avoids Taking Responsibility

Watch for blame-shifting when things go wrong. An entitled teen might say, “It’s not my fault,” or find ways to blame others for their mistakes. They rarely own their actions.

Strategy: Use natural consequences

• Let your teen experience the results of their choices when safe to do so.
• If they don’t do laundry, they’ll have dirty clothes. These real-life lessons teach better than lectures.

5. Uses Disrespectful Communication

Pay attention to tone and body language. Eye-rolling, heavy sighs, or talking back might be normal teen behavior sometimes. But when it’s constant, it shows a lack of respect.

Strategy: Be the example

• Show the respect you expect to receive.
• When you communicate calmly and respectfully, even during disagreements, you model the behavior you want to see from your teen.

6. Acts Like Rules Don’t Apply

Does your teen ignore curfew or break family rules? Do they act surprised when called out? This suggests they think they’re above the rules that apply to everyone else.

Strategy: Involve teens in rule-making

• Ask for their input on family guidelines. Teens are more likely to follow rules they helped create.
• This involvement teaches responsibility while respecting their growing maturity.

7. Needs Rewards for Basic Tasks

Be concerned if your teen expects payment or prizes for routine chores. Basic contributions to family life shouldn’t require rewards every time, and this indicates an unhealthy view of family roles.

Strategy: Connect rewards to effort

• Make sure privileges are earned, not automatic. But include basic responsibilities as part of their routine.
• Screen time, spending money, and social activities can be linked to meeting responsibilities. This teaches the value of work. Include taking care of their own room as part of their own tasks.

8. Shows Poor Money Habits

Entitled teens often spend freely without thinking. They may expect their money supply to be topped up whenever they run out. They rarely save or plan for future purchases.

Strategy: Teach money skills

• Help your teen learn to save, spend wisely, and give to others.
• A regular allowance tied to chores can teach budgeting. These skills will serve them well as adults.

9. Lacks Concern for Others

Notice if your teen seems unaware of others’ feelings. Do they interrupt, fail to help, or ignore family members’ needs? This shows they’re focused mainly on themselves.

Strategy: Encourage helping others

• Create opportunities for your teen to volunteer or help family members.
• Seeing how their actions positively affect others builds empathy and reduces self-centered thinking.

10. Gives Up When Things Get Tough

Entitled teens often quit when faced with challenges. They expect success to come easily. If it doesn’t, they may blame the task, the teacher, or anyone but themselves.

Strategy: Focus on effort, not just results

• Praise hard work, problem-solving, and persistence.
• When we notice effort rather than just achievements, teens learn to value the process of working toward goals.

11. Always Wants Newer and Better Stuff

Watch for constant requests for upgrades. If your teen is never happy with what they have, they may be caught in a cycle of wanting more without appreciation.

Strategy: Explain wants versus needs

• Help your teen understand the difference between things they want and things they truly need.
• This knowledge helps them make better choices and feel less entitled.

12. Avoids Family Activities

Pay attention if your teen regularly refuses family time. While teens naturally seek independence, complete rejection of family togetherness can signal entitlement.

Strategy: Make time to connect daily

• Set aside just 10-15 minutes each day to really be present with your teen.
• These brief moments often lead to meaningful conversations and build trust that makes family time more appealing.

13. Constantly Tries to Change the Rules

Entitled teens often try to renegotiate limits. They wear parents down through argument and pressure, treating clear boundaries as mere starting points for bargaining.

Strategy: Be careful about giving too much

• Consider whether you’re providing too many things without effort on their part.
• Sometimes our desire to give our kids everything can backfire by creating unrealistic expectations.

14. Only Helps when there’s Something in it

Notice if your teen only pitches in when they want something. Genuine helping comes from caring, not just looking for personal gain. This sign shows a very self-centered view.

Strategy: Build intrinsic motivation

• Help teens understand the good feeling that comes from helping others.
• Share how you feel when you help someone, and ask them how they feel after doing something kind without reward.

Remember, each positive change you help your teen make today is building the foundation for the responsible, caring adult they’ll become tomorrow.

How to Build a Healthy Parent-Teen Bond

Your relationship with your teen is your most powerful tool for guiding them through these years. Even when things feel rocky, small daily actions can strengthen your connection.

Here are simple ways to keep your bond strong while helping your teen grow into their best self.

• Make daily connections: Set aside just 10-15 minutes each day to really be present with your teen. Put phones down, look them in the eye, and listen. These brief moments often lead to the most meaningful conversations and build lasting trust.
• Value their opinions: Ask what they think about family plans, current events, or everyday choices, such as “What would you do in this situation?” Teens who feel their thoughts matter are more likely to share them.
• Balance freedom with support: Let them make age-appropriate choices while staying nearby for backup. Think of yourself as a safety net, not controlling their every move, but ready to catch them when needed.
• Model what matters: Show the behavior you hope to see in your actions, not just your words. Your teen notices when you admit mistakes, speak respectfully, and handle stress well.
• Welcome tough topics: Create a judgment-free zone where big questions are welcome. Let them know they can talk about friendships, values, mistakes, and worries without fear.

Now that we’ve built a strong foundation for your relationship, let’s look at how to guide your teen without damaging this important bond.

How to Guide Your Teen Without Damaging the Relationship

Talking with teens can feel like walking through a minefield sometimes. The good news is that you can guide them while keeping your bond strong.

These simple approaches help teens listen to your wisdom without pushing them away.

Start with curiosity: Ask questions before jumping to advice. “What made you think that was a good idea?” opens doors better than immediate criticism. When teens feel understood, they’re much more willing to hear your side.

Time it right: Save important talks for when you’re both calm and ready to listen. Trying to discuss serious topics when either of you is tired or hungry usually backfires.

Choose “I” statements: Say “I feel worried when you miss curfew” instead of “You never follow rules.” This tiny word change helps teens hear your concern without feeling attacked or blamed.

Make rules together: Include your teen when setting family guidelines. Ask, “What do you think is a fair consequence?” You might be surprised by their reasonable suggestions! Teens respect limits they helped create.

Stay consistent: Focus on reliability rather than perfection. Teens count on parents to mean what they say, and your steady approach provides the security they need during these changing years.

Build inner motivation: Help teens want to make good choices even when nobody’s watching. True growth happens when they understand why rules matter, not just what happens if they break them.

Remember, your goal isn’t just correcting behavior today, it’s raising a responsible adult who makes good choices tomorrow.

Conclusion

As a parent, you’re perfectly positioned to guide your entitled teen toward better habits, even when progress feels slow. When you set clear boundaries while showing respect, your teen learns those important life lessons they’ll carry forever.

This special balance of limits and love helps them grow into the grateful, responsible adult you hope they’ll become.

Remember, change happens in baby steps, not overnight transformations, when tackling entitled teen behavior. And through it all, your relationship with your teen remains your most powerful tool for positive change.

What strategy do you think will work best with your teen? Share your experience in the comments below; Our story might be exactly what another parent needs to hear today!