Are You A Pushy Parent: The Impact Of Pushover Parenting On Kids

Pushover parenting can be best defined as that age-old balance between loving and sometimes losing your cool when your little one insists you buy something.

However, in this approach there’s another balance that strikes most parents—the slightly more inclined push pull of being too pushy.

But what exactly is pushover parenting and what is the impact of it on kids?

Read this article to find out more.

When it comes to a balance in parenthood, the main question that might come to your mind is—is there really a perfect balance between loving too much or being too nice to your kids?

In pushover parenting, the word ‘no’ is rather elusive. In simple words, it is when your child realizes that the parents are made of ‘Jell O’ rather than steel.

Or they learn that the boundaries are rather squishy and can easily melt down under the effect of their tantrums, or when saying ‘No’ seems too hard for parents, this is what is known as pushover parenting.

After all, the cute little faces when they ask for something can melt anyone’s heart.

Though it might feel easier for parents to finally give in to all their demands, in the long run, things can get complicated.

The truth is—you're not doing your child a favor by being a pushover parent. Pushover parenting is more about maintaining peace, avoiding conflicts, and ensuring love at every turn. In this run, the boundaries are missed.

However, without boundaries and limits, life ought to get a little chaotic for both you and your kids.

Kids are naturally curious, and they’ll not hesitate in testing your boundaries too. And if they find the way to turn your ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ every time with negotiations and a little whining, they’ll push even harder.

With time, the boundaries you set will start to lose meaning because they've finally realized that those boundaries are negotiable too. You might think it’s okay; however, it's important for kids to have a structure.

Boundaries help them in making them feel secure and self-disciplined in every environment.

When you consistently give in to your kids meltdown, you are unknowingly making them realize that they should always get everything they want. This might work well at home, but life is a mix of ups and downs.

In the long run, when they grow up, they will not be prepared to face those sudden disappointments, ending up in frustration and setbacks.

Therefore, by saying ‘no’ sometimes, you are helping your kids learn how to deal with disappointments and challenges that the world throws up at the later stages of their lives. 

If your kids lack boundaries, they’ll probably grow up believing that their teachers, coaches, or bosses are not a must-have to listen to.

In fact, if mom’s or dad’s rules don’t matter, why should anyone else’s?

This is how pushover parenting can result in difficulties at school, home, work, and even relationships.

In conclusion, pushover parenting might not work for every parent. It is important to incorporate a balance of parenting styles so that there’s no heavy tilt against one stake. Your parenting style may depend on what works best for you and your kids in the end. By understanding the pros and cons of each parenting approach, deciding your parenting journey can turn out to be a lot easier.