Image: iStock
As parents, we want only the best for our children. Since the time of conception you’ve only focused on one thing, and that’s keeping your little one happy and healthy. But it’s not always as easy as it seems. Sure we’re loving, caring and would do anything for them, but sometimes parents also have the tendency to be overbearing and too involved in the lives of their kids, which isn’t healthy for them either. And although it’s done with good intentions, sometimes parents can make mistakes or just have no clue about what it is their kids really need from them. If you’d like to avoid these parenting pitfalls so that your little one can grow up to be a healthy and sound individual, then this is the article for you! Read on to know more.
1. Speaking On Behalf Of Them
This is perfectly fine when your little one is not more than an infant and can’t speak for themselves. But once they are old enough to speak properly and voice their own opinions, it’s time to take a step back. Many parents forget that their child has a voice of their own in social situations. But answering questions, forming thoughts and learning to be articulate are all part of your child’s overall development. Besides, it’s important for them to learn how to talk to people of all ages and walks of life as they will be encountering them for the rest of their lives. Allowing your child to take initiative and speak for themselves will help them exercise their autonomy and improve their communication skills. So the next time someone asks them for their name or asks them a question, try not to intervene and let your child take the reins. You, of course, can closely monitor the interaction to ensure the safety of your kid.
2. Become Their Friend
Image: IStock
Many parents in today’s day and age are more interested in being their child’s friend than their parent, and this can lead to many consequences in the near future. Firstly, your job as a parent is not to ensure that your child thinks you’re cool or fun. It is to raise them to be well rounded individuals, which takes discipline as well as empathy. Secondly, more than focusing on being their friend, be their confidant. Someone they can say anything to but are also accountable to. This way you and your kids will find a healthy balance between being too friendly and too authoritative. Lastly, realize that there are some things that your child will not come to you for no matter how friendly you are towards them, and that’s okay. That’s why they have friends of their own age. Your children need their own privacy and space to experiment and grow. So, it’s okay to be left out once in a while. You probably wouldn’t want to know what they are up to anyway!
3. Help Them With Everything
Image: IStock
Since you’ve catered to their every need since the moment they were born, it’s natural to continue to do so even after they’ve grown up a bit. But helping your child with everything may not be the best for them in terms of their development. Kids learn through trial and error, so as hard as it is, you need to let them struggle and learn how to do things on their own. This can be something as simple as putting their shoes on or carrying their own bag. When a parent allows a child to take on tasks by themselves it shows them that the parent is confident in them and trusts them enough to complete the task well. This in turn boosts their self confidence.
5. Calculate Their Money
Image: IStock
The sooner your child learns to handle money, the better for them. Every child needs to know the value of money as they grow older. And although you can guide your kids and give them opportunities to earn money, like giving them chores to do or errands to run, you need to stop butting into what they do with it. After they’ve reached a certain age, kids need to learn how to save and spend their money responsibly on their own. Teach your kids to be responsible with their money and then allow them to make decisions. Allow them to figure out how to be financially smart and make mistakes in the process. Make sure your kids know that they can always come to you for advice, but when it comes to the day to day management of their finances, they are on their own.
Making sure that your childs grow up to be healthy individuals physically and mentally is not an easy task. And sometimes the things we do out of love can be the very things that stifle our child’s development. But now that you know exactly what to avoid doing, you’ll have an easier time of avoiding these pitfalls and raising healthy kids!
