9 Dangers Of Overprotective Parenting

Parenting has never been easy and we all experience it differently. One thing that is true is that parents always look after their children’s best interests. But sometimes mothers and fathers take things to extremes of overprotective parenting, despite the dangers.

When parents are too dedicated to protecting their children from possible threats, they often see dangers where there are none. As a result, they are constantly on their guard and their children grow up in a kind of bubble, separated from reality.

It is true that children are defenseless in certain situations, which means that they need a lot of care and attention from adults. But there will come a time when they also need to learn to solve problems on their own. This allows them to develop independence and their own personalities.

When parents expose their children to excessive worry and caution, they negatively affect the children’s characters and personalities. This impact is difficult to reverse in later stages of life. And this actually causes many difficulties.

The dangers of overprotective parenting

1. Low self-esteem

Self-esteem is something that children develop when they themselves face various challenges and difficulties – regardless of whether they overcome them or not. If they never have the opportunity to do so, due to an overprotected childhood, they will not be able to develop any self-confidence.

This trait will constantly diminish if parents do not allow their children to handle certain things on their own. When parents do everything for their children, their children never discover their own abilities, and they do not develop the courage to take on problems and challenges in everyday life.

2. Impatience is common during overprotective parenting

When parents do not allow their children to do things themselves, these children do not learn the value of exerting themselves. All they know is how to ask for what you want. As a result, they are spoiled and lack empathy. They are prone to crying and erupting.

3. Children become dependent on their parents

As a result of overprotective parenting, children become overly dependent on their parents. This is because their parents try to make their lives as simple as possible and solve all the problems for them.

These children will then be unable to solve problems without the help of their parents. Their independence and autonomy will be limited. This behavior can continue into adolescence and even into adulthood.

4. Develops fears and uncertainties

When fear and anxiety are what drive mothers and fathers to raise their children, parents share their fears and insecurities with their little ones. Because these children do not know how to cope on their own, they begin to see everything as a potential threat.

This can even result in social phobias. When we give our children an overprotected childhood, we make them insecure individuals.

Rather, we must give our children the opportunity to discover that they can achieve their goals.

5. Overprotective parenting limits their learning

People learn by experimenting and making mistakes. From the moment we are very young, we learn from trying and sometimes making mistakes. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we fail. We must allow our children to have these experiences.

When children fail, we should teach them to solve problems rather than doing things for them. If our children know how to solve daily difficulties and challenges, they will become responsible adults in the future.

6. Inability to tolerate frustration

Overprotected children always have someone there who fixes everything for them. Their parents make their decisions for them, which means they do not make mistakes.

These attitudes are detrimental to children’s development because parents do not give them any opportunity to experience failure. Later in life, when they encounter disappointments and frustrations, these individuals do not know how to deal with them.

7. Behavioral problems are a common consequence of overprotective parenting

The lack of self-esteem that excessive nursing gives rise to can also lead to behavioral problems later in life. These problems can occur when the child is in the company of their peers or in the classroom. They can also have a negative effect on academic performance.

8. Lack of the ability to take responsibility

It is important that we give our children responsibility from an early age. We should not always help them with their daily chores such as picking up toys and making their beds, and we should not apologize for their mistakes or bad behavior. If we do, their sense of responsibility will slowly disappear.

9. They believe that rules do not apply to them

Rules must apply from the time our children are small. They must learn to cooperate with others and live in society. We must take responsibility for our actions. With this valuable lesson, we will raise responsible and respectful children.

Finally, it is important to remember that no matter how hard we try, it is impossible to protect our children from all risks, disappointments and all suffering. In life, there are endless battles to fight, and we must prepare our children to be able to overcome obstacles. Therefore, it is crucial that we avoid falling into the trap of overprotective parenting.