5 common mistakes parents should avoid
Parents are constantly on their toes, tackling multiple tasks at once—from preparing nutritious meals for their children to helping with their homework and attending school events. But beyond these responsibilities, parents also need to inculcate the right values in children and set examples they can follow. The best way to start is by understanding what mistakes parents usually make and then taking conscious steps to avoid these mistakes while raising their children:
1. Ignoring burnout As a parent, one may forget to take breaks amid their busy schedules, but it is important to rest well and care for oneself to avoid burnout. Going on brief vacations and taking a few “parents-only” outings can help one unwind and feel better.
2. Being too strict or too lenient
Either of these things may not be ideal because when a parent is too strict, the child feels restricted and anxious, but if children are overly pampered, they may become spoiled and disobedient. Ideally, parents should be firm but not too strict, assertive but not aggressive with their children so that they can teach the expected behaviors in different situations without making children feel anxious or unsettled. For example, if a child insists on watching TV before completing homework, parents can consider not letting the child indulge before finishing the assigned work, but they should not restrict the child once the work is done.