10 Biggest Parenting Mistakes

[HeyHomie]

Interesting article.

I particularly empathized with the part about not enough discipline. There is a family at my church who, once they get to church, their sons are the rest of the congregation's problem. They (the parents) will stand there and obliviously talk to friends while their kids run around like gangbusters. These parents expect the rest of the congregation to look after their kids while the parents socialize.

 

[LoisGriffin]

hehe not following through always makes me laugh. My mother always followed through with threats. A lot of those things are done by parents who try to be their kids friends rather than parents.

To be fair to parents they are not allowed to discipline anymore. Telling a child off in public makes everyone else give the parent the evil eye. I have seen it many times. Its not really fair. I love seeing parents be parents but its not as acceptable anymore.

 

[SnapCount]

The biggest mistake I think parents make is to not let their children know that they love them more than anything, and that instead of building their children up, they tear them down by yelling, spanking and such.

 

[LoisGriffin]

So your saying if a child is behaving like a devil the parent just says to them I love you and everything will be ok?

Sorry I don't buy that rubbish. I was raised in a strict household with rules and if you broke the rules you got in trouble. It helped me to be the person I am.

I was bullied by kids whose parents didn't give a crap about discipline. Some of them have done prison time as adults. They had no discipline as children (nothing was done by the parents for their behaviour) so it can hardly be surprising they turned out the way they did.

 

[mina]

is it wrong to say i agree and have agreed for a long time?

 

[snoochface]

My parents were black or white. Either they let me get away with murder, or they beat the crap out of me. A happy medium would have been beneficial.

The follow through part is very funny. Can't tell you how many parents I've seen going, "Johnny, you stop that! One...... two...... don't let me get to three! Three..... [Johnny continues to ignore.] Four..... five...... Johnny!!"

 

[Robinsegg]

1) Spoiling kids

This is something most parents probably struggle with, as we want the best for them. However, we've found that saying "no" makes what we say "yes" to that much better.

2) Inadequate discipline

This is a major issue for me. I despise it when parents don't discipline their kids for wrongdoing.

3) Failing to get involved at school

We homeschool, so you can imagine how we feel on this one

4) Praising mediocrity

Well, there's a difference between praising an honest effort that didn't pan out so well, and praising an half-hearted effort. Any honest hard effort should be praised, regardless of its result . . . with the idea of helping the child achieve better next time.

5) Not giving kids enough responsibility

Another one I struggle with. Sometimes because it's messier or takes longer when they do it. Working on it, though

6) Not being a good spouse

I guess hubby would have to answer that one for me? However, we *do* have a good relationship.

7) Setting unreal expectations

I don't do this. I know my kids and their capabilities. This is crucial for helping them succeed.

8) Not teaching kids to fend for themselves

Again, with the responsibilities. However, I do not allow my children to treat me like a maid or a waitress, nor as their entertainment source. They also need to speak to other adults (like librarians) on their own as much as possible.

9) Pushing trends on kids

We don't do this. Trends come and go and are extremely annoying

10) Not following through

I think we all struggle with this from time to time. However, I try not to say something I won't do later . . . and try to remember everything to follow through on: positive and negative.

Rachel