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3 Things You Should Never Do for Your Kids
child health child meltdowns children arguments healthy eating kids kids habits parenting parenting mistakes parenting style parenting techniques spoil tantrums
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As parents, we only want the best for our children. But sometimes our judgment is clouded, and our actions can actually impede our kids' progress. By nature, we want to see our children succeed, even if it means giving them a gentle nudge. Unfortunately for some parents, that nudge often turns into a huge push, and before we know it, we're actually doing things for our children that they should be doing for themselves.
Admit it. We've all been there. You see that sweet little face struggling to tie his shoe, write a Pulitzer-worthy paragraph or even make his bed. When you sense his frustration, your maternal instinct kicks into high gear, and the next thing you know, you're doing the deed for him. Your intentions may be good, but the end results are not.
You've essentially become the dreaded helicopter parent, a mom or dad who gives eagle-eye attention to every aspect of the child's life. From report cards to recreational activities, you're the gatekeeper of your child's affairs. You exact precise oversight in everything he does do to ensure that there is nothing holding him back.
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I was able to get around the problem and started at a very early age. When I would take my daughter's to the grocery store they were allowed to choose one item from the fresh fruit and vegetable section. They could choose whatever they wanted. Over the years we tried some very different things. But it did seriously reduce the "I wants" in the aisles of the should not haves. On occasion they were allowed a candy treat, but it was never a reward for behavior, or used as a bribe. These are the areas that parents go wrong.
By allowing children a choice, it gives them a sense of power, something to look forward to and something to prize. And there were fun times trying to figure out how to cook something. And led to some new favorite foods that we may not have tried before.
But children should always be given guidelines on what behavior is acceptable whenever you leave the house and eventually they'll know on their own.