Am I An Overprotective Parent?

Do you constantly remind your child of danger?

Do you try to rule over every single aspect of your child’s life?

Do you overly-console your child?

Do you keep your child from failing?

Do you stop your child from branching out by not letting them make some of their own decisions concerning their interests?

Do you forget or avoid teaching your child responsibility by, for example, always making their bed, cleaning their room, etc?

Do you manage your child’s friendships?

Do you place your child in a bubble away from reality and the real world?

Do you continually check up on your child?

While it is unlikely that you are really an overprotective parent, you are displaying one or two signs related to it. The problem with being an overprotective parent is that your child will miss out on opportunities to build responsible behavior skills and build autonomy. Children need to learn through their own experience. When mom and dad are always guiding their behavior, their confidence can be undermined. Parents should guide their children along the way, but they should avoid protecting them from everything. In case you answered ‘no’ to all questions, you are not showing any signs of an overprotective parent.

Based on your answers, you are displaying several signs of an overprotective parent. It is normal that you want to protect your kids, but when you are being overprotective, you may be hindering your child’s full potential. Children must learn on their own, but as a parent it is still your responsibility to not place them in dangerous situations. While parents should be concerned about the safety or their kids, they should also teach them about risk and responsibility. And those lessons are taught through life experience. Try to take a step back and give your child a little more room.

Based on your answers, you are displaying the signs typically seen among parents who are overprotective. As a parent, you should be concerned about your child’s well-being and safety. However, kids need space to grow and develop, and to make mistakes and learn from them. Try to take a step back and give your child a little more room. You can guide them along the way, but avoid protecting them from everything. The problem with being an overprotective parent is that your child will miss out on opportunities to build responsible behavior skills and build autonomy. If you have a hard time letting go, talk to a mental health professional.