Nowadays, it is common to find parents who overprotect their children with the intention of taking care of them and keeping them safe from any danger. However, this overprotection can have negative consequences on children's development, as it limits their autonomy, problem-solving ability, and abilities to face challenges. In this article, we will explore six educational mistakes that can harm overprotected children and offer recommendations to foster a healthier and more balanced environment in their upbringing.
1. Not allowing them to experience failure
One of the most common consequences of overprotection is the lack of tolerance for failure in children. Overprotective parents tend to intervene quickly to prevent their children from making mistakes or facing difficult situations, believing that in this way they are protecting them. However, by not allowing them to experience failure, children do not develop the ability to face and overcome obstacles on their own.
Impact on emotional development
When children do not experience failure failure naturally, they become more emotionally vulnerable to adverse situations in the future. The lack of tolerance for frustration and the inability to face failure can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties regulating emotions in adult life.
2. Doing everything for them
Another common educational mistake is the tendency of overprotective parents to do everything for their children, from homework to daily activities. If children do not have the opportunity to take responsibility and face challenges on their own, they will not develop skills such as autonomy, resilience and decision making.
Long-term consequences
When children grow up to be overly dependent on their parents to solve problems or accomplish simple tasks, they become less able to cope with the demands of adult life. Lack of autonomy can limit your opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as your ability to function independently in the world.
3. Protect them from all danger
Overprotection often manifests itself in parents' attempts to protect their children from any perceived danger, whether physical, emotional or social. While it is natural to worry about children's safety, it is important to allow them to experience the world and learn to face challenges in a gradual and guided way.
Risks of overprotection
When protecting children from all danger, parents not only limit their ability to learn and grow, but also transmit a message of insecurity and distrust in their children's abilities. This excessive overprotection can generate dependency, fear of change and difficulties in making decisions on one's own.
4. Overvaluing their achievements
Another consequence of overprotection is the tendency of parents to overvalue their children's achievements and abilities, without taking into account their true abilities and efforts. Constantly praising children without a real basis sends them a distorted message of their worth and encourages an attitude of complacency and lack of intrinsic motivation.
Impact on self-esteem
When children grow up believing that they are exceptional at everything they do, it is difficult for them to accept failure and face constructive criticism. Overvaluing achievements can generate fragile self-esteem and a feeling of insecurity in situations in which they do not obtain the expected recognition.
5. Deciding for them without taking their opinion into account
The lack of autonomy and participation in decision-making can be a direct consequence of overprotection. Overprotective parents tend to decide for their children without taking into account their opinion or preferences, which limits their ability to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Importance of autonomy
Allowing children to express their opinions, make decisions and assume responsibilities appropriate to their age and development gives them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, explore their interests and develop a sense of identity and self-efficacy. Autonomy is essential to promote self-confidence and the development of leadership skills in children.
6. Minimize the consequences of their actions
When parents overprotect their children, it is common for them to minimize the consequences of their actions or prevent them from facing the responsibilities of their decisions. By not allowing children to assume the natural consequences of their actions, they are deprived of the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, develop responsibility, and understand the importance of their choices.
Learning through consequences
It is essential that children experience the consequences of their actions appropriately and proportionally, as this gives them the opportunity to reflect, correct their behaviors and take responsibility for their decisions. The ability to learn through consequences is crucial for the development of moral judgment, empathy, and emotional maturity.
Conclusions
In summary, overprotection can have negative effects on children. the development of children, limiting their autonomy, skills to face challenges and emotional resilience. To avoid these educational errors and foster a healthier environment, it is important for parents to promote tolerance for failure, autonomy, participation in decision-making, and assumption of responsibilities in their children. By providing a balance between care and freedom, children will be able to develop social, emotional and cognitive skills necessary to face life's challenges in a positive and constructive way.