What is the syndrome of the hyper-gifted child?

According to a recent study, Spain is the second country in Europe who spends the most on Christmas gifts. Spaniards spend an average of € 268 on gifts. Most of this budget goes to children.

Meaning

We understand the hyper-gifted child syndrome as the set of negative psychological effects that we observe in minors, due to excess gifts, especially, on specific dates like Christmas. The child opens and opens gifts without processing what they suppose and, therefore, without valuing them. He only focuses on opening the next one and loses interest in the one he just received.

Why happens?

Some Causes that children receive gifts in excess have to do with:

• Make up for with gifts the time that we cannot share with them. Sometimes the best intentions produce the worst effects.
• By comparativeIf at school all the classmates have X gifts, he cannot be less.
• Advertising and the consumer society.

What consequences can it have?

This enables the child to believe that you will have everything you want just by wishing it. And that's a problem, because in the long run, when these kids grow up, they may develop some of these characteristics:

• Overstimulation.
• Selfishness
• Short
• Lack of effort, attention and concentration.
• Whimsical
• More consumerist and materialistic (they value things for what they are worth financially, not emotionally)
• Undervaluation and lack of enthusiasm for what they have.
• Impoverished imagination.

What is the recommended gift limit?

According to some experts, more than 8 gifts It can be counterproductive. In the event that the number cannot be reduced, because many people give away, it is important regulate its use at different times to focus attention and thus promote healthy play. As for adults, there are four things to keep in mind at the time of s:

• Something to read and promote their culture (picture books, novels, comics, cutouts ...)
• Something to wear such as clothing, footwear, bedding ...
• Something i need, as accessories for school or for your hobbies.
• Something you want and that makes you very excited

But the most important thing is to give away time, not only the time that will be spent playing with the toys later, but also the time that we can share with them playing.

How can we control the number of gifts?

First of all, you have to put limits to the children and explain in advance what they can ask to avoid disappointment later. One way to do it is assessing the pros and cons of each gift, thus we reinforce his reasoning and teach him to establish priorities and make decisions. On specific dates, such as Christmas, the child can be helped to write the letter of the May Kings. Moments like this can be perfect to take advantage of and take stock of the year, the road or what you want for the next. This too

Explain that having more gifts does not equal more happiness. According to a recent study, children with less toys are more creative and they are more focused.

Change the chip

• Teach your child to value what you have.
• Educate him so that learn to give, not just receive.
• Promotes what to donate the toys he does not use
• Control the fashion toys, can increase unnecessary consumption.
• Try to give away non-sexist toys and talks openly about stereotypes between boys and girls.
• Teach him to to share with other children and thus reinforce their social skills
• Give away experiences and toys that make her think, board games, movie tickets, summer camp, theme parks, museums, etc.

It is human and natural that we try to give children as much as possible, but if you see your child reflected in the characteristics of the hyper-gifted child syndrome, you are always in time to modify things or ask for the:

• This syndrome is characterized by the set of negative psychological effects in minors, due to excess gifts.
• Gifts should serve four functions: something to wear (clothes, shoes…), something you need, something you can read, and something you want.
• Teach him to value what he has and that less is more.

Editorial Team: Specialist in Clinical Psychology.