Parenting styles and techniques play an important role in shaping children’s mental and emotional growth. While multiple factors contribute to a child’s mental growth, wrong parenting methods (even if you think it’s the best) can have detrimental effects on your child’s mental well-being, hampering them in the long run.
We know that parenting isn’t an easy task. For that matter, it’s pretty challenging! However, if you want to raise a mentally strong child who has healthy emotional development, you have to stop making the following mistakes.
1. Dismissing your child’s feelings
Even as an adult, you go through so many feelings and emotions daily. However, don’t you feel great when your partner or friend lends an ear? You feel heard and are better equipped to handle your feelings the next time. Always remember that children are still trying to comprehend the world and the people around them. So even if their feelings or emotions might not feel legit to you, hear them out patiently.
Why dismiss your child’s feelings? No matter how small or irrelevant you think your kid’s feelings are, as a parent, it would be best to let them express their problems. Also, if you think your kid’s feelings are irrelevant, it would be best to work on the same because even if they are young and their troubles are little, their feelings are just as relevant as yours.
Next time your little one wants to share their feelings, instead of dismissing them, say, “I understand what you are feeling,” and give them advice if they ask for it. This encourages mental growth in your children, helping them manage their emotions healthily in the long run.
2. Not letting your children face failure
Don’t shield your child from failures. This way, they will never learn from their mistakes or learn how to deal with failures. Failing is a huge part of success. The more they fail, the more they push themselves to do better every time, making them mentally strong. Help your kids only if they ask for it. Even then, don’t completely take over. Just be there to observe, guide, and suggest.
For instance, if your child is not doing well in school, tell them the repercussions they might face instead of doing their homework, like not getting promoted, not being able to achieve their dream, etc. If your kid asks for help, sit with them while they do their homework and clear their doubts.
3. Fighting in front of your kids
Never fight in front of your children. When kids see their parents bickering and fighting over everything, they tend to cocoon themselves. They will eventually stop sharing things with you. Moreover, they start thinking fighting with others is the only way to solve issues. This mindset can hamper your child’s mental growth and cause problems in their adult life.
4. Fulfilling all their demands
Do your kiddos always get what they want, be it expensive toys, chocolates, or clothes? Well, you need to stop doing this right away. Fulfilling all their desires or wishes at the drop of a hat will not only make them irresponsible but also lazy and ultimately affect your child’s mental growth.
Instead, show your kids that one needs to work hard to get what they want. Also, you should teach your kids self-control, finding joy in little things and asking for things only if it’s a need, not a want. Giving things occasionally (like on their birthdays or if they worked for it) is more than okay, but don’t make this an everyday habit. You will only end up spoiling your little ones.
5. Expecting perfection
Every child is different, as is their pace of learning and doing something. If your child is not good at studies, don’t pressurize them or set the bar too high. This will stress them out and hamper their self-esteem and confidence.
Instead, look for other activities your child excels at, such as sports, arts and crafts, dance, etc. Just set realistic expectations for your children to ensure your child has healthy mental growth. While encouraging them to do better in the things they aren’t good at, also make sure to praise them on their achievements in stuff they excel at. Balance is the key to healthy emotional development in children.
Every parent wants the best for their child. However, sometimes unknowingly, their parenting methods hamper their children’s mental growth. So, remember these points to ensure they grow up emotionally healthy and happy.
