The Me, Me, Me Epidemic

Desperate parents everywhere cave when their kids push them hard enough, teaching them all kinds of unhelpful lessons: for instance, that rules can be broken and that it’s perfectly acceptable to use bad behaviour to accomplish a goal. The vast majority of parents report that when they just can’t take the whining anymore or when they just really need to get the groceries and get home, they hand over the forbidden fruit to their child.

The great give-in is a problem that endures through all the ages and stages of childhood. But it is a problem that can be solved.

The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World by Amy McCready is a practical and insightful guide for parents grappling with the challenges of raising children in an age of entitlement.

McCready tackles this timely issue with humour, wisdom, and a no-nonsense approach, offering parents concrete strategies to nurture responsibility, resilience, and gratitude in their kids. Her advice is actionable and rooted in everyday scenarios, making it easy for parents to apply to their family life.

The book shines in its step-by-step structure, with McCready offering simple yet effective tools like setting clear boundaries, practicing follow-through, and encouraging independence. She focuses on fostering intrinsic motivation rather than relying on rewards or punishments, helping kids develop skills and habits that will serve them throughout life. The emphasis on building long-term character over short-term compliance is particularly compelling.

McCready’s tone is conversational and supportive, making readers feel empowered rather than judged. She acknowledges that parenting is tough, especially in a culture that often rewards entitlement, and she offers strategies without overwhelming parents. Her ability to address modern parenting challenges—like over-scheduling, helicopter parenting, and the pervasive influence of technology—makes the book feel both timely and relevant.