Are You an Over-Protective Parent?

As parents we all want the best for our children. We want to protect them in every way possible. But is there such a thing as being an over-protective parent? Some parents can go to extremes. It can be especially difficult for parents of children that suffer from ill health. Parents may also tend to be over-protective of children that are especially small.

Parents often caution siblings and others not to get too rough when playing. Parents may also refuse to let their child play sports or become involved in any activity they feel may be strenuous. Some parents may prefer to keep their child indoors where they can keep a closer watch on the child. They may even limit contact with other children. An over-protective parent may not allow the child to have a pet. The parent may reason that a dog can be rough or bite and a cat may scratch the child. They may not even allow the child to have a pet such as a bird or goldfish for fear of germs or disease.

The child of an over-protective parent may feel lonely and isolated. This is especially true if the child is an only child that has no siblings to turn to. If both parents are over-protective or the child is being raised by a single over-protective parent he or she may feel even more alone. If the child tries to express his or her feelings to the over-protective parent the child may come up against resistance or a deaf ear. The over-protective parent feels that they are acting in the best interest of their child, which of course, they are. The over-protective parent just doesn't view their behavior as extreme.