Parenting is a task that comes with a lot of myths, misconceptions and partially heard tips. It becomes impossible for parents to discard these myths and take only the right path due to many opinions being presented to them.

As such, they find themselves practicing the wrong things and, unfortunately, getting the wrong result.

Myth 1: Always praise your child

A lot of parents think that they are doing the right thing when they praise their kids -but over-praising may not be the best practice.

In some cases, over-praise leads to over-confidence, which can create a sense of entitlement that may ultimately affect how your child develops.

While praise should be given, it should be balanced and warranted. It is important to praise your child when it is necessary and deserved. Children need to learn that they are not perfect and that they will make mistakes.

When they do, the opportunity should be taken to use those mistakes as teachable moments.

Myth 2: Don’t let your child cry

It is perfectly fine to allow your child to cry. Crying is a natural response kids have to things that they do not like or do not wish to participate in. It is a way for children to express themselves in a way that they may not yet fully understand.

Parents should allow their children to cry when they feel the need to do so, as this is an important way for children to release their feelings.

It is necessary to try and understand the reason why they feel the need to cry and to talk to them about what they are going through.

Myth 3: You’re responsible for your child’s success

Parents need to understand that their role is to guide and support their children, not make them successful.

As much as parents may want their kids to succeed, success should not come at the expense of their children feeling unhappy, unfulfilled or unheard. It’s important to focus on helping children develop the necessary skills to succeed in life and to support them through challenges they may face along the way.

Myth 4: You should be your child’s best friend

A common myth among parents is that they should be friends with their children. While it is important to build a strong relationship with your child, you shouldn’t confuse that with trying to be their friend.

A friendship is a two-sided relationship where there may be an expectation of equal power. As a parent, you have the responsibility of steering your child in the right direction even when it’s not something they like or agree with.

Parents need to understand that they are responsible for their children. And while they may develop a great relationship with them, it is important to maintain the responsibility of a parent.

Sometimes that means making difficult decisions and choices that may not be popular at first.

Myth 5: Positive reinforcement is all the discipline your child needs

Parents often think that positive reinforcement is all the discipline that their child needs. While it’s true that positive reinforcement is important, it is not enough.

Positive reinforcement, coupled with consequences for negative behavior, is an effective means of teaching children how to make good choices in life.

Dual reinforcement, both positive and negative, teaches children that every action has a consequence, whether good or bad, and that those consequences will have an impact on their lives.

It also teaches children that they have control of their actions and the power to make good choices in life.

Myth 6: Children need to be shielded from negative feelings

A lot of parents think that their children should never have negative feelings. They believe that by shielding their children from negative feelings, they are protecting them. However, this is not the case.

Allowing your child to experience the full range of emotions, including the negative ones, makes them understand that they are normal and that it’s okay to have them. Children should be allowed to experience them and learn how to manage them.

Myth 7: Technology is bad for a child’s development

There’s been a lot of debate about whether or not technology is bad for children. However, technology isn’t necessarily bad for your child’s development as long as it is used appropriately and in moderation.

There are a lot of educational apps and online resources that can help children develop important skills such as reading, communication, and critical thinking.

On the other hand, too much screen time and inappropriate content can have negative effects on children. Parents need to be mindful of what their children are watching and for how long they’re watching it.

Myth 8: Your child should attend only the best schools

Parents often believe that their child should attend only the best schools in order to be successful. However, it is important to understand that attending a prestigious school doesn’t always translate into success.

There are many successful individuals who attended average schools and many less successful individuals who attended the best institutions.

Parents should be more concerned about selecting schools that align with their children’s interests, passions and values rather than name brand.

Children who feel supported in and out of school environments will be more likely to thrive no matter the academic stature of their institution.

Myth 9: Kids’ interests don’t need to be taken seriously

As parents, it is imperative to take your child’s interests seriously. Showing genuine interest in their interests will encourage them to pursue those interests further, and they’ll feel more confident in their abilities to achieve their goals.

This helps children to develop a love for learning and to grow into well-rounded individuals.

Myth 10: Giving children everything they want makes them happy

Parents often want to provide everything that their children ask for, believing that this will make them happy.

However, giving your child everything they want can have damaging effects, such as creating a sense of entitlement and unrealistic expectations. These may lead to disappointment, frustration, and a lack of gratitude for what they have in life as they may never learn to fully appreciate the things around them and the hard work it takes to acquire them.

Conclusion

Parenting is a journey, and it’s perfectly normal to make mistakes from time to time. The most important thing is to learn from them and adjust accordingly. It’s time to let go of these myths and focus on raising happy, healthy and well-rounded children.