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There is no end to what parents can do for their children. Your parents put their all into raising you, and when your turn comes to be a parent, you will leave no stone unturned to ensure your kids have the best. Even though parenthood is all about unconditional love, there are times when parents unintentionally pass on hypocritical behaviors that have been rolling on through generations. This is when you disregard your child’s feelings and leave it to time to heal them. The problem with this behavior is that it makes children feel like elders have a magical world where they can do as they please. This fake euphoria stops them from enjoying their childhood. Here are some ways elders and parents have been hypocritical without even realizing it. Read on to know them all.
1. I Can Co-Sleep, Not You
Children are made to sleep on their own from a tender age, for better or worse. However, there will come a time when they question why you are allowed to sleep with their dad while they have to sleep alone. But, of course, being a parent is all about finding creative answers to their queries, so good luck coming up with a valid answer for that one!
2. I Can Eat When I Want, Not You
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While children are disciplined to have a definite timetable for their meals, it is not just the children who should be expected to follow it. If they see their elders eat at whatever time they please, sooner or later, they will question the need to have a strict routine about meal timings.
3. I Can Have Unlimited Screen Time, Not You
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If you think your child doesn’t notice, you are wrong. While you limit their TV and game time, they watch you stay on your phone late into the night. If you explain that it is bad for their eyes, it doesn’t sound logical since you have eyes too!
4. I Can Be Too Warm Or Too Cold, Not You
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Some parents love their kids by adding layers to their clothing. So if the mom feels cold, she adds a cardigan to the child. While they feel protective of the child, it is annoying for kids to be deprived of simple decisions like whether or not they are feeling cold.
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Sharing is caring, but if you ask a toddler to share their favorite toy with you, they will hide it so you can’t reach it. But once you earn their trust, they will show you all their toys with interest. The same goes for adults as well. No one buys a car and then lends it to a stranger just because they wanted it. The idea is to let your kids decide for themselves what they want to share and with whom.
6. You Have To Do What I Say, I Don’t
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Of course, parents want the best for their children, but kids are not programs made to run at their parent’s command. They have their own free will, and just because they are born to you does not compel them to follow your mindset and opinion. Give time to understand your child and let them explore the world on their own terms.
7. Your Feelings Will Change, Mine Won’t
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So when your pre-teen is crying about his breakup, don’t laugh away, saying it’s silly. You have to understand what it feels like to them. You might have seen numerous breakups by now to know how ridiculous it is to cry over them, but for your kids, it’s an essential emotion they need to get through with.
8. You Have To Stay Motivated, Not Me
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While adults are allowed to crib about Mondays, sulk about work, and put on a grumpy face worrying about everything, kids are expected to stay motivated and happy about everything around them. So if you feel you should help kids find the best in everything, you should practice it too. Children learn through examples set by you.
9. You Should Express Yourself Freely, But I Am Terrified Of Public Opinion
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Parents often see their children as mini versions of themselves, and it is natural for you to help them experience every happiness you had been barred from. However, it is essential to understand that you are not your child; they are not here to help you live their life for you. The idea is to explain to your kids how the world works through example rather than coaxing them to do things for your sake.
10. You Cannot Worry About Things, But I Can
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When you ask them not to worry and go on with their lives, you might think you are making a sacrifice on their behalf, but you are depriving them of basic emotions. It will only make them learn to bottle up their feelings and prevent them from expressing themselves correctly.
Society as a whole assigns parents the role of perfection. However, humans are bound to make mistakes, and the same goes for your position as a parent. So if you want to eat the last slice of pizza or feel you hate eating veggies, it’s time to own it up and explain to your kids that you eat it anyway because it’s good for your health. The trick is to be honest with your kids, as they are more intelligent than you think. So which point would you relate to the most? Let us know in the comments section!
