Are you an overprotective parent? It may have 5 negative effects

Do you micromanage nearly everything for your children? Are you shielding your child from mistakes? Do you spend too much time consoling your child? If you answered yes, you are indulging in overprotective parenting which is impeding your child’s full development.

Overprotective parenting entails shielding your child from sadness, failure, harm, pain, rejection, frustration, challenges, resentment, and other negative emotions.

Monitoring their behaviour can be detrimental to their overall physical, emotional, and mental development. For example, keeping track of what they eat, managing their friendships, punishing them for poor grades, invading their privacy, organizing their extracurricular activities, and so on.

Overprotective parents’ children lack decision-making skills and are unable to live independently. We live in a digital age where we are constantly bombarded with negative news via social media. Also, parents who suffer from anxiety illness are prone to reflect overparenting.

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Here are some side effects of overprotective parenting:

1. Lack of cognitive skills and risk-averse

Taking too much care of your children and protecting them from setbacks can be harmful. You are depriving them of the ability to make their own decisions, make mistakes, fail, and learn valuable lessons. They will be unable to deal with adversity later in life. Furthermore, the child will not learn to take risks or adapt to new situations. Instead, teach them to think for themselves and help them make better decisions.

2. Mental health problems

When your children reach adulthood, they may develop social anxiety, high stress levels, depression, and an inability to solve problems. They will feel powerless, and will become overly sensitive, naive, and mentally deficient. The child will not learn how to overcome fear and step outside of their comfort zone. Worry, fear, and anxiety will be their reactions to situations. Teach them how to express themselves instead. The first step toward self-awareness is self-awareness.

3. Low self-confidence

When parents exert too much control over their children, the children are unable to make their own decisions. Their self-esteem will gradually deteriorate. It will be difficult to regain their trust later on. Children will unconsciously believe that they are incompetent and will feel unmotivated to achieve difficult goals. It will promote low self-esteem and self-doubt. They will avoid opportunities and will be unable to overcome challenges. Make it a point to teach your children about acceptance on a regular basis. Self-acceptance enables us to connect and grow spiritually.

4. Lack of social skills

Overprotective parents will convey the message that the world is dangerous. Children raised by such parents will grow up to be anti-social and unable to interact with others. Your child will begin to feel insecure and may fear abandonment. It will be difficult for them to maintain friendships and relationships. Such children will crave attention, validation, and approval from others. It may harm your child’s mental health and make them emotionally dependent on you for happiness. When we teach our children to live un-apologetically and authentically, we give them the tools they need to thrive in the world.

Also Read: Good cop-bad cop: Here’s how to get the parenting game right

5. Arrogance

A parent’s frequent scolding or use of physical punishment can have a negative impact on a child’s behaviour. You are indirectly transferring negative energy to children. Too many constraints and a lack of autonomy will cause the children to react aggressively. They may misinterpret your intentions and try to keep a safe distance from you. They will also be more hostile to other children. As parents, we should instill in our children empathy, kindness, and compassion.

Final thoughts on overprotective parenting

Over-parenting through excessive control, supervision, and interference is an unhealthy way to raise your kids. Such negative consequences are irreversible and will cause more harm than good. Allowing your offspring desired freedom is crucial for a child’s wellbeing.