Parents Shouldn't Over Parent Their Kids

Over parenting seems to be the result of professionals who really have good intentions. This is what happens when parents become too protective or too caught up in every little thing their child does. While it may be argued that it's worse to pay too little attention to your child than too much, either one causes problems. You really have to try and figure out if you're over parenting, and here are some tips to help you do that.

The first thing we would like to look at is the tendency of parents to force their children to participate in too many extracurricular activities that go far beyond going to school. This can be anything from team sports to karate to golf lessons. Parents often make this into a competition instead of something to learn. Brawls, fights and shouting matches are very common at children's sporting events, simply because the parents are too competitive for their own good. This becomes an embarrassment, not only for the parents, but for the kids as well. In a way, the parents are trying to live their lives vicariously through their children, instead of actually letting their kids live their own life. 

Activity like this are a great way to help your children grow, so you should leave your fanaticism behind, and allow your children to be kids and participate without worrying about what you are going to do next. The health of your children, and your own health, can be adversely affected by virtue of over parenting on a regular basis. When children are very young, it is normal for them to be the central point of interest in their parent's lives. Parents that go off the deep end may sometimes put their entire life on hold simply because their children are now around. Sometimes parents will identify themselves with their kids, so much so that they will feel valueless without their children in their lives. The best parents set an example for their kids as well as helping them and giving them advice. You can still have your interests, and raise your kids - it's a win-win scenario. This is fantastic for your children, and that they can see how you handle the difficulties and challenges of life every day.

And you have to take a hard look at yourself, and maybe you have issues with seeing your kids struggle, etc.

And don't think your kid is not tough, kids can be very tough are certainly resilient. You may be the one who has to overcome your fears of knowing that life will offer hurts to your kid. When it comes to school, help your child if it's needed but that's it - hands off. The problem of over parenting is fairly recent, and usually occurs in families that are well off or at least comfortable. These aren't parents who are neglectful or abusive, merely misguided. They end up with overly dependent children by providing too much attention, and protection, for their kids when they shouldn't. Like not paying any attention to your kids, this can be a problem for all involved.