Everyone wants to do right by their kids. Sometimes, however, parents can fail despite their best intentions. And sometimes, you might be making your kid absolutely miserable without even knowing it.
#1. Public Discipline
Sometimes kids misbehave and need to be disciplined. However, in a public place, in a very public way, is not appropriate. It’s extremely embarrassing for them, and they will likely begin to resent you for using this method.
#2. Encouraging the “Everyone’s a Winner” Mentality
This mentality may work for youth sports, but it’s not a good long-term lesson to teach children. Everyone should be instilled with a healthy amount of competition.
Teaching kids that there are winners and losers in life will help them become ambitious. And celebrating their accomplishments will help build up their sense of self-worth.
#3. Not Putting Your Marriage First
In order to raise good kids, you need to have a strong foundation with your spouse. If you’re constantly burnt out from spending time with the kids and never make time for yourself and your spouse, your marriage will inevitably suffer.
#4. Letting Your Mood Affect Your Interactions With Your Child
We all have bad days at work or just a rough go of it in general, but that’s not your child’s fault, nor is it their responsibility to make you feel better.
Don’t make it obvious that you’re in a bad mood when you spend time with them, or they may become wary of being in your presence over time.
#5. Having a Nanny Parent Your Kids
Quality time with mom and dad is important to the development of your child. No matter how demanding your job is, it will always be there.
Your kids will grow up in the blink of an eye, and you may one day regret not taking more time off to spend with them.
#6. Not Eating as a Family
Family dinners are another important bonding activity. Everyone can talk about their day and just decompress together.
#7. Not Praising Your Child For Their Accomplishments
Kids love being praised when they do well. Whether it’s for getting a good grade on a test or scoring the winning goal in a game.
If you set your expectations too high for your child and never praise them when they succeed, you will end up raising a resentful child with a low sense of self-worth.
#8. Operating By “Guilty Until Proven Innocent”
Kids misbehave and make mistakes sometimes, but sometimes they haven’t done anything at all.
Jumping to conclusions and immediately blaming your child when you don’t know for sure if it was them can ruin the trust between you, and they may be less forthcoming in the future when they do make mistakes.
#9. You Don’t Show Interest In Your Kid’s Hobbies
There’s always that one kid whose parents don’t show up to their game, play, etc. Don’t let your kid be that kid.
Showing up for your kid is just as important for you as it is for them. It shows them that you care about their interests and it creates memories for you to look back on.
#10. Coddling Your Child
Children need to be protected and sheltered, but only to a certain extent. Don’t be the helicopter parent. Sometimes the best way for a child to learn life lessons is to have life experiences.
If they’re being protected from every possible danger in life, they will suffer as an adult.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ann in the uk.