Lisa O
Parents want to make sure their kids grow up feeling safe and happy. But sometimes, it’s hard to protect them from everything that might not be good for them. While parents often have good intentions, there are instances where their choices or actions can have lasting effects on their children. So, let’s talk about 15 messed-up things kids will hate their parents for.
When Parents Play the Blame Game
Sometimes, when parents feel upset or tired, they criticize their kids a lot. It’s like they use this to deal with their own feelings and cover up their weaknesses. They always find something wrong with what their kids do or say. This can keep going even as the kids get older, and it can make them not want to help out their family when they grow up.
Being There, But Not Really
Some parents believe that they’re doing a great job as long as they provide food and nice clothes. But even if they’re with them in person, they might not connect with their kids emotionally. As children grow up, they might feel like they owe their parents. But these parents shouldn’t expect love and care from their kids in return.
When Parents Live for Society’s Nod
Some self-centered parents focus a lot on how well their children do in school or sports because it makes them feel good about themselves. But they don’t really see their children as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings. If their kids mess up, it often leads to arguments. When these kids grow up, they often want to keep their distance from their parents to avoid feeling pressured all the time.
When Parents Poke Fun at Passions
When parents make fun of what their kids like, it can make the kids feel embarrassed, and this feeling might stick with them for a long time. To protect themselves—children might start doing the same thing back: making fun of their family’s interests and not caring about their feelings or achievements. Children pick up on how to act from the people around them, especially from the relationships they see.
Battling Unrealistic Beauty Standards
In a world where people care a lot about looking a certain way, protecting kids from those ideas is essential. If they see too much stuff in the media about how they should look—it can make them not feel good about themselves, have low confidence, or even develop eating problems. Instead of telling them to lose weight or fix their acne, it’s better to talk to them about feeling good about their bodies and remind them that what’s inside counts the most.
Overbearing Ambitions from Parents
It’s normal for parents to want the best for their kids, but it’s not good when they get too obsessed with it. Always talking about things like getting married and having kids doesn’t really strengthen the bond between family members. Parents who do this might be surprised when their children start avoiding talking to them.
When Parents Provide No Oasis
Kids need emotional support from their parents just like babies need milk. If a family member hurts them emotionally—it’s not something they can just forget about. Some might give up, some might become shy and scared of getting close to others, and some might try super hard to impress their family and do well. But deep down, they still feel like they’re on their own.
Revealing Children’s Secrets
When kids share a secret with a grown-up, it’s a big deal. It’s like they’re testing how much they can trust them and strengthening their relationship. But if a parent laughs or gets mad instead of keeping the secret safe and then goes and tells everyone—it breaks that trust for good. A lot of times, children end up not wanting to tell their parents anything after that happens.
Navigating Content Controls
Nowadays, kids can easily find all sorts of information, so it’s important to keep them away from stuff that’s not right for their age. If they stumble upon this stuff—it can make them feel confused, worried, or like they’re growing up too fast. Parents should set rules about what’s okay for their age, keep an eye on what they’re doing online, and talk to them about what’s okay to see and what’s not.
Parents Pulling All the Strings
Some parents who like being in charge think they get to decide everything for their kids—like what job they should have or who they should marry. They don’t care that their kids are all grown up and can make their own choices. Kids who stay under their parents’ control find it tough later on. They not only feel angry inside but also learn to always do what other people want.
Feeling Second-Best in the Family
In many families, one kid might feel like they’re loved more. For instance, the older kid might have to act like a parent sometimes and get in trouble for small stuff, while the younger one seems to get away with everything. The older one might also be told to be a good role model for the younger sibling. If parents don’t realize this is happening, it can lead to big fights between the siblings.
When Harsh Punishment Breeds Resentment
While disciplining children is important, using harsh physical punishment can cause serious and lasting harm. It can damage the trust children have in their parents—making them feel unsafe and unloved. This kind of punishment can also hurt their emotional health, leading to problems like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that can last into adulthood.
When Appreciation is Scarce
Some parents believe that complimenting their kids is bad, so they end up being really tough on them. They expect their kids to meet really high standards, and then they’re surprised when their kids grow up feeling really shy. They don’t say nice things about their kids’ abilities, which stops them from wanting to try new things.
Battling Addiction’s Effects
When kids see or experience substance abuse—like when people use drugs or alcohol, it can mess them up, both in their body and their minds. Some parents even hurt their kids when they’re using drugs. It’s important to make sure kids grow up in a place where there are no drugs around and to teach them about how dangerous they can be.
Parents Lost in Their Own World
Some people care a lot about what others think, even more than how their kids feel. They worry too much about looking perfect and forget about everything else. But do you think kids want to be close to parents who don’t accept them? It’s pretty clear they don’t. Parents should always keep their children above anyone—especially society.