"Les enfants sont complètement égoïstes ; ils ressentent leurs besoins intensément et s'efforcent sans pitié de les satisfaire."

Children tend to be incredibly self-centered. They experience their needs and desires very intensely and will go to great lengths to make sure they’re met. This behavior isn’t inherently bad—it’s just how they’re wired. Think about it: a baby can’t understand that mom needs sleep when it's hungry at 3 AM. The baby cries until it gets fed because, in that moment, its hunger is the most important thing in the world.

Sigmund Freud, who talked a lot about how our minds work, pointed out how this self-centeredness is a natural part of early development. As kids grow, they start learning that they’re not the center of the universe. But those early years? It's all about them and their immediate needs.

Let’s look at a real-life example. Picture a toddler in a grocery store. She’s sitting in the cart and suddenly spots a bright, colorful candy bar. What does she do? Starts begging, whining, maybe even throwing a tantrum. To her, that candy bar is everything. She doesn’t care that dinner is in an hour or that too much sugar isn’t good for her. She wants it, and she wants it now. Her parents might try to reason with her or distract her, but at that moment, her instinct is to get what she wants by any means necessary.

So how do we deal with this? The key is patience and teaching. Parents and caregivers need to slowly guide children to understand that not all needs and desires can be met immediately. This doesn’t mean ignoring their needs but rather helping them learn balance and empathy over time. It’s a gradual process—one that involves saying "no" sometimes and explaining why.

Imagine this scenario: You’re at home and your 4-year-old is demanding your attention while you’re on an important work call. They’re tugging at your sleeve, shouting, maybe even throwing toys. It’s because they feel their need for your attention intensely and aren’t thinking about anything else. You could snap at them (we’ve all been there!)—but there’s a better way. You might pause, gently tell them you understand they need you, and set a boundary: “I know you want to play, but I need to finish this call. Can you draw me a picture while you wait?” This way, you acknowledge their need but also guide them to understand patience and respect for others’ needs.

Think about how we adults sometimes act. Ever been really hungry and found yourself getting angry over small things? When we’re tired or stressed, we can revert to that same, childlike egoism. It’s human nature. But over the years, we've learned to manage those feelings better—most of the time, anyway.

In the end, understanding that children’s egoistic behavior is natural can help us respond with more empathy. They’re not being difficult on purpose; they’re just following their instincts. So next time you’re faced with a child’s intense need, take a deep breath. Remember, you're helping them learn one of life's big lessons: we all have needs, but we also have to consider others. It’s a balancing act, and it starts young.