Here are some of the myths the survey challenged with percentage responses and typical answers from those who were overindulged and also with a few author comments. The typical overindulged child is an only child. No, most of our respondents had two or more siblings. Parents who overindulge are well-off economically. Grandparents are the most notorious overindulgers.
Overindulgence occurs mainly with young children.
Parents who overindulge just want their children to be happy and go to extremes to avoid physical abuse. Half of those reported being hit with a belt or other objects. My mother would lose control and hit us with objects such as a vacuum cleaner hose, shoes, hair brushes and a yard stick. I was spanked with the hand, belts, and sticks. My father was unpredictable and would hit my mother and us kids.