We all grew up as entitled children. When our parents wouldn’t get us what we wanted, we would throw tantrums, yell, and cry until they returned to apologize.
They didn’t rest until we got what we wanted. But as we aged, some of us left those habits behind, while others didn’t stop.
Entitlement in relationships is a legit problem that needs to be uprooted from the mind of men and women alike.
Treating your relationship privileges as rights will not get the relationship anywhere good. It breeds resentment and makes for a very one-sided relationship which leaves one partner feeling either shortchanged or underappreciated.
To cut off the entitlement mentality in the relationship and check the way you relate with your partner, here are things to do:
1. Agree to meet each others’ expectations
This will not work without good communication and a healthy back-and-forth.
2. Learn to fulfill each other’s needs
Let your partner know what you want and how you want it. Also learn what they want and do it that way.
3. Let go of selfishness
Being considerate of your partner’s needs calls for selflessness and putting them on the top of your priority list. Do not just think of yourself and what can be done for you.
4. Compromise
This is an offshoot of selflessness. You should learn and know when to shift grounds to accommodate your partner’s needs. Taking one for the team every now and then is an attitude that shows how committed you are to making things work in the relationship.
5. Differentiate between privileges and rights
Honesty is a genuine right and so is fidelity, communication and real effort at making things work. Those are things you should throw tantrums about; not things that an adult is meant to be able to provide for his or herself.
