The niece’s behaviour has become a source of worry for the family, as her parents have spoiled her so much that she believes herself to be a princess and treats everyone around her like servants; things have worsened now that she is about to start school, yet still relies on counting on her fingers.

My nieces behaviour became a matter of concern to our whole family, for her parents had so thoroughly indulged her that she fancied herself a princess and treated everyone around her as her personal staff. Matters had grown worse as the time came for her to begin school, though she still depended on counting with her fingers.

It all began when she was borneach member of the family felt duty bound to play a part in raising her. My sister-in-law even moved into her sons already cramped terraced house just to help with the baby. Regrettably, instead of providing proper guidance, the grown-ups gave in to her every whim, teaching her that crying and making a fuss would get her whatever her heart desired.

By the time little Harriet was a mere six months old, she had already learned how to manipulate the adults around her. This led to constant chaos at home, and the other family members suffered from a lack of attention and care. Driven to desperation, my brother eventually left but continued to dote upon his daughter even after the separation. He lavished her with dresses, toy makeup, and shoes, as though she truly were royalty. Any attempt from the rest of usor the nursery staffto draw attention to her behaviour and bring her back down to earth was always met with defiance and ended in heated arguments.

Harriets upbringing had been so utterly centred around this notion of being a princess, she showed no interest at all in learning or acquiring the most basic skills. As she approached her first year at primary school, she was still counting on her fingers and lacked the simplest of knowledge normal for children her age. Her parents professed a parenting philosophy that championed child-led decision-making, entirely free of boundaries. Yet her teacher believed a child ought at least to understand modesty and the basic principles of conversing with adults.

Overwhelmed by her manners and behaviour, her carers made the difficult decision to keep their distance in order to safeguard their own peace of mind. They became convinced that her parents should take charge of her upbringinginstilling in her some fundamental values and principles to carry her through life. Now, looking back, it is clear how the choices made in those early years shaped little Harriet, and serve as a warning of the consequences of unchecked indulgence.