student asking question

What's the nuance of the word "spoil" in this context? Is it positive? Or negative?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

It has a slightly negative nuance since "spoiling" children means overindulging and being too lenient with them usually. However, the tone of the comment is made in a positive way! So it seems that the mother doesn't really mind her children being spoiled in this context. Ex: My grandparents always spoil me when I visit them. Ex: My husband spoiled me on our anniversary. Ex: One shouldn't spoil their children.

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