Lawnmower Parenting
Why over-protecting kids does more harm than good.
In recent years, the term "lawnmower parenting" has emerged to describe the phenomenon of parents who try to mow down any obstacles in their child's path, often at the expense of their child's personal growth and development. These anxious and worried parents may think they are protecting their children, but in reality, they are doing them a disservice. Here's why.
Children need to experience failure: Failure is an inevitable part of life. If children are never allowed to experience it, they will not know how to handle it when it happens. By sheltering children from failure, parents are robbing them of important opportunities to develop resilience and grit.
Challenges build character: Overcoming challenges and adversity is what builds character and helps children become well-adjusted, resilient adults. By shielding children from any kind of difficulty or challenge, parents are setting them up for a life of entitlement and fragility.
Life is not easy: Shielding children from every potential obstacle or challenge is not preparing them for the real world. Life is full of difficulties, and children need to learn to navigate these challenges in order to thrive.
Failure can be an opportunity for growth: Failure is not a dead end - it is an opportunity for growth and learning. When children experience failure, they learn to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and try again. This resilience and perseverance will serve them well throughout their lives.
Fulfillment comes from overcoming challenges: The challenges and obstacles that we face in life are what give it meaning and purpose. By depriving children of the opportunity to face and overcome challenges, parents are depriving them of the chance to experience true fulfillment in life.
Overprotecting children from failure and challenges does more harm than good. It robs them of opportunities to develop resilience, grit, and character, and sets them up for a life of entitlement and fragility. Children need to learn to fail with grace, understand that life is not easy, and that by not giving up, it will lead them to a life of fulfillment. As parents, it's our job to prepare our children for the challenges they will face in life, not to shield them from them.