Learned Dependency

Dear Suze Q. Our 6-year-old is the laziest child I know. Everything takes forever and he’s elevated dawdling to an art form. He pouts and cries easily. His older sisters think he’s their baby and coddle the hell out of him. Frustrated Father

Dear Dad, Assuming he’s not avoiding abusive situations or has a medical reason, this is learned behavior that your parenting needs to prioritize. Nobody likes a whiner and his peers won’t tolerate his behavior. Do your homework to teach the skills he needs to be self-motivated, a self-starter, a leader, and a billion other childhood tasks. Not only does he need to undo many bad habits, but he must replace them with positive ones. Depending on your kid’s temperament and resistance, this can be a daunting challenge. Don’t hesitate to seek help so you don’t waste any more of his childhood. -SQ