Does Play Based Coaching work for entitled children?

Usually when adults think of children who benefit from coaching, they often imagine those facing poverty, trauma, or adversity but what about children who appear to “have it all”? Can the Play Based Coaching System® we use as a global network of Kids Life Studio® Coaches help children who seem entitled? Those with wealth, access, and comfort at their fingertips? The answer is yes and here’s why.

Entitlement vs. Neglect

Entitlement and neglect may sound like opposites, but they can exist side by side. A child can be surrounded by material abundance and still feel profoundly neglected. That neglect doesn’t come from a lack of food, toys, or money but it comes from a lack of presence, connection, and guidance.

A few years ago, I worked with a 12-year-old girl whose story really showed me how true this is. Her fridge and kitchen cupboards were overflowing with food, her pocket money seemed endless, and she had every comfort. On the surface, she looked privileged, but she was morbidly obese, unhappy, and deeply disconnected from herself.

Her parents, though loving, were always busy. Food became her way of soothing loneliness and filling the emotional gap left by their absence. What she craved wasn’t another snack; it was the steady presence of an adult who had time to listen, play, and guide her.

How Play Based Coaching® Helped

In our sessions, we used my Play Based Coaching System® and it worked! This is a method of supporting children that is grounded in neuroscience and it helps them express emotions, build resilience, and develop self-regulation and good lifestyle habits through play.

Instead of focusing directly on “fixing” her eating, I created a safe, playful space in my Kids Life Studio® pop up venue where she could explore her feelings and needs. Through games, role-play, and interactive activities, she learned to:

• Recognise her emotions without turning to food.

• Discover healthier ways to cope with boredom or loneliness rather than eating sweets.

• Rebuild her confidence and self-worth without leaning into excuses that she was too large. 

• Experience joy and connection beyond material abundance. m

Slowly, her eating patterns began to shift. She started choosing healthier habits not because she was told to, but because she felt seen, understood, and capable of change.

Why It Works

Play Based Coaching works for all children whether born into adversity or entitlement. This is because it bypasses the surface — the lack of or abundance of money, the privileges, the comforts — and reaches the heart of what they really need: presence, connection, and meaningful mentorship. It reminds us that no matter how wealthy a child may appear, they are still vulnerable to neglect if they lack the emotional anchors that help them thrive.

The Bigger Lesson

Entitlement can hide neglect, but it doesn’t erase it. My Play Based Coaching System® provides a bridge that supports children to reconnect to themselves and helps adults understand how to model resilience, curiosity, and confidence.

This 12-year-old girl I coached didn’t just lose her reliance on food for comfort but she discovered a healthier, happier version of herself. That transformation is possible for any child when the adults around them commit to being truly present. The great news was, that her lovely parents realised her neglect because I coached her to communicate her needs better. They met her halfway and amidst their busy schedules, they made dedicated time for each other. 

For me, the real question is not whether a child is entitled or deprived. The question is whether they are supported in ways that nurture their mind, body, and heart. Our coaching does just that! When children feel heard, understood and valued, they mirror this to how they treat themselves. 

Your influence is immeasurable and can change a child's life by implementing habits and beliefs that pave the way to a future where mental health becomes their wealth!