10 Bad Parenting Habits
6. Not listening to them
It is one thing to talk to your child and a whole different thing to actually keenly listen to what the child is saying. Kids say a lot of things that may seem silly at first. But if you keenly observe your child’s verbal and non-verbal gestures, you will have an insight into his/her mind. Give your kids an environment where they know they are being heard.
7. Ignoring the warning signs
As your child grows up, there will be several difficult phases and situations that he or she may have to face in life. It is very common for young kids to lose their way and get into bad habits. As a parent, it is your responsibility to be aware of your child’s path and to make your child aware of what’s right and what’s not. Many a times we ignore the red flags and that can really mar a child’s life.
8. Not practicing what you preach
A child will never learn a thing if you do not set an example. For instance, if you teach your kid to be honest but you yourself keep hiding things from others, then your child will observe that and follow suit. Values of humility, hard work, patience, care, forgiveness, etc. have to be practiced by the parents first. Only then will your child respect you and listen to what you have to teach.
9. Being over-protective
As parents we are bound to be protective of our kids. But if you always ensure that your child is constantly protected and safe, then it may hinder your child’s growth. Know that no matter how hard you try, you cannot protect your kid from every possible harm. Someday, your child will have to face the world on his/her own and it will be very difficult for him/her to do that if you have always provided him/her with an extremely protective environment. So, every once in a while, let your child make a mistake so that he/she can learn from it and be strong.
10. Not being their friend
If you always talk to your kids as a “parent” then they will not be able to share everything with you. As your kids grow up, you should behave as a friend and make them feel comfortable in your presence. They should feel OK about discussing their fears, hopes, and doubts with you. This will not only strengthen your bond with them but will also ensure that they never seek advice from the wrong person.
