It can be difficult for a parent to find a balance between discipline and freedom.
- For parents, the balance between discipline and freedom is difficult to find.
- Children of overly permissive parents fail to identify their limits.
- Parents should set rules but let children take controlled risks.
Each parent educates his child according to his personal history and what he wishes to transmit. If there is no one way to educate your child, certain attitudes such as being too permissive or too strict can pose long-term problems.
What is a permissive parent?
The permissive parent does not let everything pass to his child, he is aware that a framework is needed. However, for fear of imposing himself or being rejected, he seeks too much to be his child’s friend and becomes lax in terms of rules and discipline.
The problem is that the child then lacks structure and limits and becomes overprotected, resulting in a long-term lack of autonomy into adulthood.
What are the negative consequences of a permissive parent?
Children raised in an overly permissive environment tend to be less responsible and independent because they don’t learn to accept the consequences of their actions. This can impact their relationships with others and lead to behavioral issues, including difficulty controlling their impulses and emotions.
In the long term, the child can be distressed and lost because of this too much freedom and give the image of an immature child king.
How to find the balance between discipline and the freedom of the child?
Finding a happy medium is often a question of adjustment according to the situation, however certain attitudes can help:
- Establish clear rules and consistent boundaries,
- Help the child become aware of the consequences of his actions,
- Limit overprotection by letting the child take controlled risks so that he can develop his autonomy,
- Encourage the child to express their emotions and manage them appropriately,
- Involve the child in family decisions so that he feels listened to and respected.
When you find yourself too permissive, it is also important to remember that it is not a question of having a friend relationship with your child but rather of a guide and teacher to help him grow.
Find out more: “Educating without punishing: Teaching self-discipline to children” by Doctor Thomas Gordon.