When a child is born, parents have a lot of expectations for their child’s future. They imagine their child growing up, achieving great things, and living a happy and fulfilled life. However, it is important for parents to realize that their child’s future is heavily influenced by the way they are raised. This means that as a parent, it is crucial to avoid making certain mistakes that can lead to negative outcomes for your child. In this article, we will discuss ten parenting mistakes that can lead to a future of despair, educational and professional struggles, and even a life of crime.

1. Overprotection

With a world full of tragedies, it is natural for parents to want to protect their children. However, being overly protective can be detrimental to a child’s development. When parents forbid their children from doing simple things like talking on the phone or going on the internet without constant surveillance, they cause their child to question their authority. This type of behavior can actually cause a child to lose respect for authority figures which can lead to them rebelling against their parents. Teens who are overly protected are also at higher risk for getting into trouble, as they are more likely to become secretive and learn to lie to their parents.

2. Lack of stability

Children that come from unstable homes are exposed to more adult behavior than those that come from stable living environments. When a family does not have a consistent schedule or make general plans for how each family member’s commitments will be incorporated into the family’s schedule, children can feel as though they are not valued enough. This can lead to a child feeling like they need to take on the parental role when their parents fail to provide for them. Children who have to assume the parental role when their parents have failed to provide necessary resources, supplies, or transportation can seek out their own solutions for these unfortunate situations their parents have put them in. Teens that are forced to develop a hustler’s approach to life will replace long-term goals with short-term goals.

3. Being your child’s best friend

It is not uncommon for parents to want to be close friends with their children. However, it is important for parents to remember that they should always prioritize being a parent first. When a teen sees their parent as their friend, the parent loses much of their authority, as well as their child’s respect. A teenager needs boundaries, and without an active parent close by to set those boundaries, they tend to set their own. A parent should never be so concerned about their child liking them that they forget to protect them from potentially dangerous situations.

4. Medicating your child

As the world becomes more and more reliant on medication, parents should take an investigative approach to their child’s health. When a doctor prescribes medication to help with hyperactivity or other related issues, parents should investigate the medications, its side effects, and other natural alternatives. Teaching a child that there is a pill to cure everything will create the mindset in your child that they should medicate themselves every time they are facing something difficult. It is easy for a teen who has been medicated their entire life to have the misconception that they can swallow a pill and their problems will disappear. This idea can quickly translate from taking a prescribed anti-depressant like Prozac to experimenting with dangerous drugs, such as opiates like oxycodone or common street drugs such as ecstasy.

5. Lack of accountability

Not holding your child accountable for things like lying, cheating, stealing, and other inappropriate behaviors will instill an attitude that the rules do not apply to them. When children are consistently held accountable for their actions from a very young age, they quickly learn about the consequences of inappropriate behavior as well as the positive results that appropriate behavior yields. Making a child understand that they will lose the freedoms and privileges they have earned if they steal or lie will instill a cause-and-effect thought process for the child’s future behavior. Not immediately coming to your child’s rescue once they have acted out in such a way that has brought about negative consequences will also help to create a sense of accountability.

6. Closed communication

Communication is key when it comes to building relationships. If you want your child to open up to you, you must also open up to them and make them understand that they won’t be judged if they come to you with a problem. This does not mean that you should let them get away with inappropriate behavior, however. By setting clear boundaries and communicating effectively, you can maintain a healthy relationship with your child.

7. Poor emotional support

Children who do not have emotional support will often turn to other means to cope. This can include drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, or even self-harm. As a parent, it is important to be emotionally available to your child and to provide them with the support they need. This means actively listening to their problems, offering advice when appropriate, and showing them that you care.

8. No consequences for bad behavior

When a child does something that is inappropriate or disrespectful, it is important for there to be consequences. Not only does this teach the child that their behavior is unacceptable, but it also demonstrates that there are consequences for actions. When a parent does not provide consequences, the child can become entitled and feel as though they are exempt from the rules.

9. Favoritism

When a parent shows favoritism towards one child over another, it can lead to feelings of jealousy and resentment. This can lead to the child feeling like they are not valued as much as their sibling, which can lead to negative outcomes. It is important for parents to treat each child equally, demonstrating that they value each child for who they are.

10. Being too critical

It is important to provide children with constructive criticism to help them grow, but being too critical can be detrimental to their self-esteem. Children who are constantly criticized may start to feel like they are not good enough or that they can never meet their parent’s expectations. As a parent, it is important to provide guidance and support without being overly critical.

In conclusion, being a parent is a complex, full-time job that comes with a lot of responsibility. Parents want their children to achieve great things, but it is important to avoid certain parenting mistakes that can lead to negative outcomes. By avoiding these mistakes, parents can set their children up for success, both in the short and long term.