When it comes to parenting, there are many things we get right and some that may do more damage than good.
Wanting the best for your child and pushing them for all the wrong reasons has a thin line that must not be overlooked.
In many cases, parents by doing so affect their children’s mental health grievously.
Many times, parents are unaware of the damage they’re causing to their child’s mind, claiming ‘everything is for the best’.
That said, here’s how you can be contributing to your child’s poor mental health and how you can prevent it.
1. Neglecting their emotions
Children have pure intentions. So whatever they feel has it’s own real essence. Dispersing them off and neglecting their feelings and expression will only destroy their sense of individuality. It will make them more hesitant and contribute to their anxiety, which can all result in poor mental health. Therefore, never take your child’s emotions for granted.
2. Belittling their decisions and choices in life
As a parent, you have all the right to step in when your child is unable to make a decision. However, rather than belittling what they have in mind, think of ways to direct them to a life-choice that satisfies them the most and is in no way harmful for them. If you look down upon their decisions, chances are they’ll keep everything bottled up in the future and will not disclose anything, making their childhood more tense.
3. Demanding perfection
Children should be taught to aim high, but reaching for the stars should be an option and not a compulsion. Many parents, wanting the best for their children, demand and expect perfection from kids who are barely ready to take on the world. Imagine the amount of mental pressure and anxiety they have to go through to satisfy the will of their parents.
4. Compelling them to adhere to socially constructed rules and norms
Many times children have their own ways of expression and there are some who are as per society ‘different’. Now by different, it does not mean wrong, but according to the socially constructed norms and rules, they’re not acceptable. For instance, if a boy wants to learn ballet and wear pink coloured clothing, which as per societal rules is a girl’s hobby and choice of attire respectively, he can be pinpointed for it, which should not be the case ideally. So as parents, you must never force your child to limit their personality, rather help them to enhance it.
5. Pushing them to achieve your incomplete dreams
Your child probably has better facilities and more exposure than you did during your childhood. But does it mean you push them to achieve what you could not? The answer is no. Every child is different and just like you, your child may have their own likes and dislikes. So moulding them to love what you love is taking away their chance to do what they want to. This may put a lot of pressure on their mental health.
Every child is beautiful. But each child is prone to developing mental health issues for various reasons. That said, do not contribute to it, rather help them overcome it.
