One of the major tasks of parenting is to encourage confidence and harness the capabilities of the child to equip him/her to leave home and function independently. Being overprotective is the inability to leave the child to grow on his/her own and discover his strengths and potential. While it is clear that, they do not want to be overprotective, their concerns on the child, prevent them from allowing them to do things he/she is perfectly capable of doing.
Overprotectiveness can be shown in a number of ways:
• Parents would not let their teens out of their sight except at school, but have to send them off and pick up the child promptly right after school. Sometimes, would visit the child even during class hours for some vague reasons.
• Parents relate to their teens similarly when they were younger
• Parents check and monitor their teen's phone or gadgets
• Parents would refuse permission for them to do age-appropriate things
• Parents are determined to protect the teen from any form of harm
• Parents notice even the smallest details in their teen’s life
• Parents' actions and decisions seem to show dependence, instead of independence
• Parents' rules are applied strictly and are nonnegotiable
• Parents have the difficulty trusting the young person
Although, the above-mentioned lists are subjective measures of overprotectiveness, however, they are what is typical of an overprotective parent.
Lucili B. Pis-an
High School teacher, Philippines
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