Are you Over-Parenting? - Impact on Child, Signs of Over Parenting
Created by Nidhi Sharma Updated on Nov 17, 2019
Parenting is an art that requires our hands on dedication, as you are responsible for your child. As a parent, you are responsible for raising your child, and supporting her physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development.
Parenting skills vary from parent to parent. Some of you may adapt to your child's needs immediately when she is born, and some of you may take time. As a mother you do everything to keep your child happy, healthy and safe. But then, at the same time a question pops up in your mind – how much Is too much? Where do we draw the line between parenting and overparenting? Read on to find out!
What Is Overparenting?
As a parent, your child's physical and emotional wellbeing is always at the top of your mind. But have you noticed yourself hovering around your child too much? Do you find yourself rushing to tie his laces for him when he takes a minute longer, or do you run to pacify him in the middle of a cricket game where he scrapes his knee? You might need to take a step back, because these are signs of overparenting.
- Taking charge of (and not just guiding) every decision of his, and rushing in to protect him from every little mistake (that he can potentially learn from) is overparenting
- If you don't allow for deviations from normal, and scope to learn from errors, your child's development is hindered
How Do I Know I am Overparenting?
Here are some tell-tale signs of overparenting.
- You hesitate to give your child responsibilities:You start to worry that your child won't do the task the way you want it done, or you're anxious that he will tire himself out doing it
- You have endless arguments with your child: Do you find yourself squabbling with your toddler about not eating the fruit in his snack box, or your tween about getting a haircut? This might mean that your expectations are way too high
- Your child's failure upsets you too much: When your child has lost that coveted prize for the painting competition, does it upset you? It might be time to take a step back
- You're too disappointed about unmet expectation: Did you want your child to like ballet? Or did you want him to take to the swimming pool like a fish? And when it didn't happen, were you crushed? Again, this might be a sign of overparenting
- You're throwing tantrums: Do you constantly fight on your child's behalf? With that friend's mother because he took your child's favorite pencil, with the teacher because your child wasn't in the Annual Day play – just to name a few. Throwing tantrums on his behalf is a clear sign of overparenting
What Impact Does Overparenting Have On My Child?
Overparenting (also commonly called Helicopter Parenting) has the reverse effect of what you desire. Your child's development takes a beating because of the constant attention that he doesn't need. Here are a few ways in which your child is affected by overparenting:
- Lack of self-confidence: If you're always doing things for your child instead of letting him do them himself, he's probably going to lack self-confidence as he grows upg
- Low self-esteem: Constantly micromanaging your child's choices and decisions can send a message to your child that she's not capable enough to do things on his or her owng
- Fear of taking risks: If your child has always been in your shadow, there's a good chance that he will be afraid of taking risks later in lifeg
- Fear of failure: A child who has been sheltered from failure by a parent who is over-involved at every step has a natural fear of failingg
- No connection with himself: When your child has constantly been told what to do, what he is capable of and what he's not, has things done for him, and not given the opportunity to make mistakes, he doesn't build a connection with himself. He doesn't know what he truly likes or dislikes, and what his strengths and weaknesses areg
- Depression: Low self-esteem and confidence can possibly result in depressiong
How Can I Stop Overparenting?
As a parent, you have your share of anxieties and insecurities, which lead to overparenting your child. You can, however, avoid this through some practice:
- Work on your own needs: Many a time, overparenting is a result of not meeting our own emotional needs. And the best way to do this is by doing something for yourself
- Don't overindulge your child: While your child's wellbeing is your responsibility, don't confuse true needs with indulgent wants. Your child needs your love and attention. Don't go overboard with demands and rewards
- Let your child take responsibility at home: Don't do everything for your child. Allow him the opportunity to wash his plate after a meal, sort out his laundry and clean his room. You'll be surprised how he thrives with encouragement
- Let him make mistakes: When your child takes up a task and makes a mistake, be there for him. Offer support and empathy, and don't resort to an “I told you so” followed by doing the task yourself
Overparenting leads to a child without individuality and a serious lack of self-respect. Take a step back, give your child the wings to fly and watch him soar.
Did you find our blog on overparenting useful? Do you overparent your child or do you know someone who does? Please do share your thoughts, views and feedback with us in the comments section below!
This content has been checked & validated by Doctors and Experts of the parentune Expert panel. Our panel consists of Neonatologist, Gynecologist, Peadiatrician, Nutritionist, Child Counselor, Education & Learning Expert, Physiotherapist, Learning disability Expert and Developmental Pead.
| Jan 11, 2017
Hi, I agree to this subject of over parenting. I always try to make my daughters do their work by themselves such as my younger daughter started taking bath by herself ,wearing clothes and combing her hairs neatly when she was 3yrs old. Im involving my elder daughter in kitchen for chopping vegetables. My younger one use to mess the home but nowadays I taught her that princess keeps there home neat nd as a result she wants to be like princess nd tries to keep her things on place. Its very imp to make our kids self dependent atleast they could do there own work nd try to help us too.
| Jan 19, 2017
I agree to this. My daughter is 4. 5 years old so I would like to know what tasks are there that she can do by herself .. she brushes herself in my observation ..she can wear her jacket and zip up ..she can wear her socks and leggings ..still she doesn't eat her food properly doesn't finish it i hv to feed her.. I hv a 11 months old son also so I hv to feed him also..
| Jan 27, 2017
Hi monika ... on a regular and casual basis ask your children to do small tasks which they can perform or at least they can try.. initially they may mess up with lot of things but eventually they will learn if you guide them by helping and correcting them.. Also I feel we should not force them but it should be very casually done
| Feb 07, 2017
Thanks for sharing such wonderful message with us. on most occasions, we as humans err without knowing that we actually did. May be we are so burdened with our work, or relationship or any other thing that revolves around our lives that we don't see the cause of our failures. And, yes, this affects our parenting too. so, I truly agree with your point that we should not over do with our children.
| Feb 11, 2017
hi there!! for moms who are unable to make the kids eat..... here's the mantra..... firstly allow your child to sit beside you n have food from your plate but a bit side I mean divide his part of food n encourage him or her to eat ...no matter how much mess they make ....or time they take secondly n slowly give them little amounts of food to taste .....n eat by themselves.... start with their favorite one..... n give compliments n encouragement..... initially it takes lot of patience n time for mothers but this really works.... coz it's my experience with my 4 years daughter...
| May 31, 2017
Kids will never listen to you, but will always imitate you. They are great imitators. so do what you expect them to do in front of them. Tie your shoes and let them tie their shoes. Eat in front of them. so they can watch and imitate. Never force feed them, it always backfires in big way later.
| Aug 31, 2018
thanks for the article.. it's really helpful... somewhere down the line unknowingly I have over protected my daughter ....today she lacks self confidence... she is 3. 5 yrs old... I want to enrol her for swimming and dance classes but she is very scared of going to such classes
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