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There is no hard and fast rule for parenting. Each child is different and parents have to adopt various techniques to imbibe value systems in their children so they turn out to be conscious individuals of society. Granted that it is one of the toughest jobs out there and there is no solid way in which you can prepare for it, but there is a set of practices that have been proven to be effective and make you feel fulfilled as a parent. Some of these include setting a good example, setting boundaries with your children, being consistent with your discipline, spending quality time with your children, and prioritizing communication (1). While there are different parenting techniques out there, you get to choose which one is best suited for your kids because no two kids are the same.
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Over the past few years, one style of parenting, called hyper-parenting, has gained a lot of momentum and is being adopted by parents all over the world, especially those who belong to elite sections of society. What is hyper-parenting? Simply put, it is the over-involvement of parents in their kids’ life. It is also called helicopter parenting, where the parents pay close attention to the child’s every move. This has proven to have adverse effects on kids and we are here to tell you how. So, without further ado, let’s look at some of the negative effects of hyper-parenting:
- Kids tend to become socially awkward because of having their parents constantly chime in for them. They coax their child to such an extent that the children do not know how to stand up for themselves, think, or even act in social situations (2).
- Parents tend to guide them and get involved in their lives to the point where they indirectly force them to do what they think is best for them. They fail to listen to kids and this in turn makes them feel unheard. They feel like they have control over their lives which drains them of their energy (3).
- Helicopter parenting tends to induce anxiety among children. Because of the constant involvement of parents, these children grow up without being equipped with fighting their own battles. They grow up to face difficulties in academics and also end up experiencing anxiety (4).
- Hyperactive parenting techniques negatively impact the levels of physical activity in kids between the ages of 7 to 12 years. The reduced levels of physical activity which include outdoor activities like playing, cycling, walking, or playing outdoor sports may have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular and metabolic health of the kids (5).
- Parents might probably not account for this but kids tend to be prone to depression because of the constant pressure placed on them by their helicopter parents. These parents tend to be overly competitive about their kids’ achievements and potentially pressure them into excelling in the field of sports or academics. This results in depression among the kids (6).
What You Can Do
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Every parent wishes the best for their kids. However, because of the competitive nature of the world we live in, parents tend to forget about what their kids need and focus on achievements and accomplishments while comparing their kids to other kids. This approach is quite disastrous simply because every kid is different and has varied interests.
While it is easy to get carried away with societal pressure, what’s important is to keep in mind what your kid needs and adhere to those needs. At the end of the day, you want your kids to be happy and know that you’ve always been there for them in the way they need and not the way you need. That being said, we understand that parenting is not an easy task and requires immense patience, sacrifice, and dedication. What are your thoughts on this matter? Comment below and let us know.
