What is over-parenting and how it can be harmful for you and your child  

Parenting can surely be a tricky job, but it is also an extremely satisfying one. Being there to guide your child is necessary. However, parents sometimes have a tendency of going overboard. Controlling every single aspect of your child’s life can prove to be detrimental for both. Being an excessively analytical, intrusive, opinionated and controlling parent points towards something known as overparenting. Read on to know more about it, and how to mindfully catch yourself in case you start leaning towards it. 

What is over-parenting? 
Over-parenting refers to the behaviour of parents that is driven by a need to micromanage every aspect of their kid’s life. Although a parent’s need of protecting child is well-intentioned, there is, very often, a tendency to slip into the mode of trying to participate in every single part of the child’s life. Persistent hovering over one’s child to ensure she is making the right choices, protecting her from even the slightest emotional or physical discomfort, being excessively forgiving, all of these are examples of over-parenting.  

Signs of over-parenting that you should be aware of 
Constant hyper-vigilance and overindulgence can lead to a child becoming over-dependent on parents. It can also affect emotional, mental and physical development. Here are the signs of over-parenting you should watch out for. 

Constantly micromanaging your child: This includes the constant imposition of choices and opinions on your child. Although you might feel that there is a right way to do something, it is important to allow kids to explore possibilities for themselves and learn from the situation. For example, give your child the freedom to experiment with mix-matching of clothes even though the outfit might be clashing according to you.   

Overindulging your child: This is one of the key markers of overparenting. Not allowing your child to take up responsibility for even easy chores will be harmful for him in the long run. Assigning simple tasks like cleaning the dining table, making a schedule for himself, etc. will go a long way in teaching your kid how to be independent.  The next time you see mess on the study table in his bedroom, refrain from cleaning it up for him. 

Excessively worrying: Being constantly concerned about your child while she is spending time with friends or outdoors, may lead you to think that you are a very caring parent. However, chances are that you might be over-parenting. By doing so, you might be limiting your child from reaching her full potential by not treating her as a smart, upstanding and competent individual.