Bad habits parents need to break

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

As a parent, you strive to be the best one you can be for your kids. However, some actions may be doing more harm than good, and you might not even be aware of it. From spoiling your kids, to being inconsistent when you discipline them, every parent has exhibited one or more of these behaviors. But once you become fully aware of them, you're ready to make some adjustments for the better.

Feeling like you're failing

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

It's common for parents to be hard on themselves, but this kind of thinking is counterproductive. Instead, look at the little missteps as an opportunity to grow and learn. Also, by showing your kids that it's okay to make mistakes, you'll teach them to be resilient in their own lives.

Fighting over the little things

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Pick your parenting battles wisely. You can't win every battle, and you shouldn't try to. If your preschooler wants to wear a mismatched outfit, let them. Some things aren't worth fighting over.

Overscheduling them

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

We want our kids to learn new things and experience everything they want. But this can lead to overscheduling them. Resist the urge to cram sports, dance, piano lessons, and other activities. It's important to give them free time to just be kids, too.

Neglecting to assign responsibilities

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Many kids have the luxury of a carefree life with zero responsibilities. But this can lead to the child becoming irresponsible as they get older. By assigning age-appropriate chores, kids will learn the importance of contributing to the household. They'll also learn important life skills.

Overusing technology

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

When was the last time you unplugged to spend one-on-one time with your child? Even if technology is today an integral part of our lives, it's important to have some time apart from it to simply be with your family.

Spoiling them

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Many parents end up inadvertently spoiling their kids by buying them lots of things. And while material items are nice, they won't bring lasting happiness. Teach your kids to find joy in less superficial ways and you'll be raising a good citizen.

Putting your needs on hold

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Unwittingly, parents often put their needs on hold in order to do things for everyone else. This can become emotionally and physically draining and lead to frustration, irritability, and burnout. Make sure to also do things that you enjoy, and to practice self-care.

Rushing everywhere

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

If you're often telling your kids to hurry up, then it might be time to slow down and understand why. Constantly rushing around is often a sign that either your schedule is too packed or you need to look at your family's time management skills.

Ignoring bad behavior

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

When kids throw tantrums or fight with their siblings, it's tempting for parents to overlook the problem behaviors and rationalize that it's just a phase. But it's important to communicate that certain behaviors aren't appropriate. Use these situations as teaching moments.

Avoiding important conversations

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

It's not uncommon for parents to neglect addressing important subjects, such as consent and dating. They might feel nervous and think it's not on the horizon or affecting their kids at the moment. However, it's better to take a more proactive approach and talk to your kids about important issues early and often.

Failing to teach street smarts

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Being street smart isn't only about looking both ways before you cross the street. Teach your kids about how to stay safe when they are riding their bike, visiting the mall, and hanging out with friends. Also, make sure they know how to be aware of their surroundings and what to do if a stranger approaches them.

Allowing the wrong friends

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Make sure your kids know what a healthy friendship is and how to identify fake friends or toxic friendships. Learning this early on could save your child a lot of heartache later.

Forcing friendships on them

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

While it's fine to help them establish friendships, forcing your child into a relationship with a person that they don't connect with will only lead to frustration. Instead, let your child take the lead on who they befriend and spend time with.

Neglecting the little moments

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

Do your best to slow down and appreciate the little things in your child's life. Also, remind yourself that you don't need to spend a lot of money to create family memories. Some of your best memories can come from mundane events like cooking dinner together.

Acting as though failure is bad

Feeling like you're failing, Fighting over the little things, Overscheduling them, Neglecting to assign responsibilities, Overusing technology, Spoiling them, Putting your needs on hold, Rushing everywhere, Ignoring bad behavior, Avoiding important conversations, Failing to teach street smarts, Allowing the wrong friends, Forcing friendships on them, Neglecting the little moments, Acting as though failure is bad

It's common for parents to go out of their way to make sure their kids don't ever fail. Some even go as far as writing their child's book report or completing their science project. However, it's healthy for kids to experience the natural consequences of their actions, choices, or inactions. It also teaches them responsibility.

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