An overprotective parent, also known as a helicopter parent, is a parenting style where the parent steps in to help their child in every aspect of their life. As the name suggests, the parent is a bit too over-involved in the child’s life in an effort to shelter them from any emotional, physical, and mental pain. They’re usually a mix of authoritarian style and permissive style. Regardless of age, helicopter parents will always want to be involved in their child’s life. This parenting style has its ups and downs that can have lasting effects on your child’s growth and development. Here are some of the pros and cons of being an overprotective parent.
Pros
Creates A Supportive Environment
Being overprotective of your children can be a good thing. In today’s world, more parents are becoming more involved in their children’s lives which makes them feel seen and supported. These children know that their parents have their back and have a sense of security. When your child feels supported, they’re able to seek your advice and guidance as a parent without fear.
Nurtures A Sense Of Community
Children of overprotective parents are most likely to have a close relationship with their parents. This establishes a sense of community and reassures them that they will never be alone even when they move out and start their own lives. They are likely to have healthy relationships with their spouses and children and are most likely to take of their parents in their old age.
Better Career Choices
Since overprotective parents encourage their children to participate in everything and are supportive of their dreams, these children have a better chance of making better career choices compared to other children. They have a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses at a younger age. Additionally, the positive reassurance from their parents builds their confidence in themselves.
Cons
Target For Bullying
If you teach your child that you’ll always be there to save the day, they won’t be able to stand up for themselves when people challenge them. In most cases, children of overprotective parents are non-confrontational, making them easy targets for bullying. They lack the self-defense and conflict management skills that are necessary to set boundaries for themselves. 8 Signs That Your Child Could Be A Bully
Leads To Narcissism
In a perfect world, we would all dot our children and shower them with love and praise. However, most parents recognize that being an overprotective parent can lead to narcissism and have to give their children tough love from time to time for their child to develop a thick skin. Otherwise, their child may lack the essential social skills to survive in society and maybe only focus on fulfilling their needs at the expense of others. 9 Traits of a Narcissist
Reinforces Anxiety
Overprotective parents tend to project their fears onto their children which can make the child paranoid about their own capabilities. They childproof everything, monitor the child’s whereabouts, and vet the child’s friends. These overprotective tendencies may lead to oversensitive adults who don’t know how to handle failure and hardship. Additionally, they put undue pressure on their children to always succeed reinforcing anxiety in them. Anxiety In Children – Symptoms And Strategies To Help
Engages In Rebellious Behaviours
Children of an overprotective parents have a high likelihood of becoming rebellious. Since they have been under their parent’s control for all their lives, they may engage in the bad behaviour they were warned about as soon as they leave the nest. Additionally, the over-involvedness of their parents during their childhood reduces their ability to become critical thinkers which makes it easy for them to be persuaded into doing things they shouldn’t.
Develops Insecure Attachment
An overprotective parent risks raising children who have an unhealthy dependence on others. They seek other people’s approval and don’t handle rejection very well. This is known as insecure attachment. Our attachment style is the way we form bonds and handle relationships. People with an insecure attachment style have difficulty feeling secure in their relationships which could lead to other issues such as jealousy, aggressiveness, and physical abuse especially when they feel abandoned or rejected. Anxious Attachment: Causes, Symptoms, Triggers, And Coping Methods
Check out Signs You’re An Overprotective Parent And What To Do About It
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