5 Parenting Mistakes You Should Avoid

Parenting is one of the toughest jobs out there. You have to be constantly on your toes, ready for anything. You need to have a natural instinct, an almost sixth sense, that tells you what your child needs at any given moment. With so many decisions to make and rules to follow, it’s not surprising that some mistakes are inevitably made along the way. While nobody can parent their kids without running into snafus and bumps along the way, there are some parenting mistakes that can have long-term negative consequences.

We all make mistakes from time to time. Luckily, many common parenting mistakes can be easily avoided. Read on and learn about which blunders you can steer clear of to be a more effective parent.

Trying to raise a perfect child

Instead of focusing on raising a healthy and happy child, some parents are too obsessed with their children being “perfect”. This is one of the most common mistakes many parents make.

This practice is unhealthy, as it often leads to rigid parenting. Expecting perfection from children can result in them feeling frustrated. It can also create feelings of inadequacy, as well as confusion about what constitutes “perfect.” Putting unrealistic expectations on our kids teaches them that they should continue to place the same amount of pressure on themselves when they get older. 

Instead, remember not to be too hard on your child. Avoid forcing kids to behave in a certain manner all the time. Not only does expecting perfection negatively impact a child’s self-image, but it will also weaken your bond with your little one.

Comparing your child with others

Making comparisons between your child and other children can be detrimental to your child. You may find yourself constantly comparing the accomplishments of your own child to those of other kids, but this is not good for children’s self-esteem or confidence. When kids are compared to others, it can cause them to view themselves in a harshly negative light because they believe they are expected to measure up in one area or another. Comparing your child’s performance with the rest of the kids in class won’t improve your child’s grades. If there’s a challenge that needs to be addressed, it’s more effective to sit with your child and discuss the problem. 

Overpraising

While it’s important that parents recognize kids’ good behavior, overdoing it is not so helpful. Showering your child with excessive praise can even be counterproductive in some cases, especially when rewards are offered each time your child does something good. Also, overpraising can make kids feel pressured to live up to unrealistic expectations.

For instance, if we constantly tell our kids, “You are so smart,” or, “You’re so clever,” they may grow up with a fear of making mistakes or falling short of expectations. 

The key here is to find a healthy balance between praising your kids and letting them know it isn’t always just about the results, but also the effort. 

Being overprotective

It’s natural for parents to be protective of their children. However, there’s also such a thing as being overprotective. When parents shield their children from everything in life, they deprive them of invaluable opportunities for growth and learning. To ensure that children learn important life skills, parents need to allow their children to make mistakes. It is only by making some poor choices and learning how to fix those errors at an early age that kids can grow into successful adults.

Using punishment as a means for imposing discipline

Part of our job as parents is making sure our kids are held accountable for their actions. However, punishments are not the best way to impose discipline. In fact, using punishment can do more harm than good.

Kids who are constantly punished will only comply with their parents’ instructions out of fear. Punishments also create a dent in the connection between you and your child, while leaving him or her feeling resentful. There are other and better ways to encourage positive behaviors from our kids than resorting to punishment. 

Ignoring your child’s feelings

Discounting your child’s emotions is actually considered to be a form of emotional neglect. One of the worst things parents can do is disregard or minimize their children’s feelings. Ignoring or downplaying your child’s anxieties now can lead to a lifetime of anxiety, according to new research. If your little one is upset about something, no matter how small it may seem to you, don’t dismiss your child. And more importantly, don’t belittle or insult your child for having these feelings or crying. Let children know you understand why they’re upset. Empathize with them and work with them to address the issue. 

There’s no such thing as a perfect parent, but by avoiding these common mistakes, we can avoid some of the negative and long-term consequences that can impact our children. 

For more parenting tips and resources, feel free to visit Young Scholars Academy.