Most parents would insist that their parenting style offers unconditional support to their kids. However, some parenting styles are more desirable than others as they concern with their child’s confidence, health, and emotional well-being. You must have the right parenting style as it helps to raise successful, happy children.
What is Snowplow Parenting?
Snowplow parenting has become a trend these days. Just like a snowplow that tries to remove snow so as to have a plain path, a snowplow parent tries to get rid of all hurdles and difficulties from a child’s path so that they don’t have to face any hurt, failure, or uneasiness.
They are also sometimes referred to as lawnmower parenting or bulldozer parenting.
Snowplow parents do everything they can to eliminate any obstacles that could make a little one nervous, worried or fearful. They want the best for their kids and to be successful. For instance, a snowplow parent will give freedom to their kids to walk to school alone or allow kids to take risks in activities that help them to progress.
Snowplow parents are often overprotective or controlling. They keep close contact with people associated with their child’s life like friends, teachers or coaches. They feel that their child can do no wrong and defend their child at any cost.
Snowplow parents have the best intentions and want to make everything easy for their children. For instance, if their kid frequently forgets some projects or books at home, snowplow parents make all efforts to take them to school.
Snowplow parenting limits a child’s exposure to stress. They don’t allow their child to navigate life situations independently. Their kids are deprived of healthy coping skills, so they cannot handle significant life events and problems.
Kids of snowplow parents are hardly permitted to engage in activities that they are not good at. If the kids insist on something, snowplow parents hardly refuse their request.
Impact of Snowplow Parenting
The impact of snowplow parenting may not be all that positive as the kids often struggle with self-sufficiency. Often, they find it difficult to manage interpersonal conflict. In the long term, they may have some mental health issues.
They may be easily frustrated
Kids of snowplow parents are unable to cope and are inept to complete the responsibilities on their own. They give up when challenges come in their life feeling frustrated.
They are incapable to learn from the situations. In such cases, low frustration tolerance often leads to depression among kids.
They become accustomed to helplessness
Often, kids of snowplow parents are unable to deal with the consequences of their own actions. They end up feeling worthless and inefficient.
Such kids lack the confidence to deal with the situations and don’t think that they can make any positive changes in their life. They believe that parents are their best teachers and begin to develop a sense of learned helplessness.
They become increasingly anxious
As kids are unable to handle undesirable outcomes effectively, they begin to feel increasingly anxious as compared to other children. They get nervous while handling relationships in their life.
Since parents make decisions, they end up transferring their anxiety to their children. Kids are unable to develop coping skills and resilience to face challenging situations.
They lack problem-solving skills
Most children learn through trial and error in any situation. But kids of snowplow parents are scared to face any difficulties as they develop a fear of failure even before they take up any task. They are scared to make errors and gradually develop poor problem-solving skills.
Kids of snowplow parents have the inability to deal with struggles which are important life skills. For instance, a snowplow parent may often remind their kid about the deadlines, wake them up for class, make appointments or help them to complete their essays.
How to Avoid Being a Snowplow Parent
Though snowplow parents are keen to help their kids, they actually end up being unhelpful. You can take some positive steps and be the supportive parent that you always wanted to be.
While snowplow parenting trend is becoming popular, here are a few ways to raise a self-sufficient kid:
Try to control your own anxiety
You can begin by looking at your own thought patterns. You can check whether you are having unrealistic expectations or if you are feeling guilty all the time that you are not good enough.
If you can manage your anxiety and have a clear thinking, you are more likely to raise children who can handle their problems confidently. Your thought patterns will impact your relationships with your children and parenting.
Allow your child to take small risks
As a parent, you can allow your child to explore the world. Gradually, you can give your child more independence to handle the task and provide him with minimum help.
Allow your child to make errors and teach him how to handle the matter differently. Let your child know that you will unconditionally support him.
Involve only when need to
As a child experiences a problem, you can be a big-picture parent and offer some suggestions. You can ask your child how he intends to solve the problem and what will he do differently next time. You can give your kid some space and an opportunity to figure out what he needs to do to be successful.
You can engage with your child with mindful parenting. Your child should be aware that you will get involved only if he is unable to handle problems or having healthy discussions with peers.
Conclusion
A snowplow parent can remove all the inconsistencies in their child’s life. Only, they need to reassure their kids that they are available whenever the kids need them. They can set an example of the decision-making process and show them the way to manage confusing emotions.
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