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The Struggle to Love

Consequences of Negative Parenting

By Karthikeyan L MPublished about a year ago 5 min read
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The Struggle to Love
Photo by Daniel K Cheung on Unsplash

Growing up, Michael never felt loved by his parents. They were strict, demanding, and never showed any interest in his life. Instead, they expected him to be perfect and excel in everything he did. Michael's father, a successful lawyer, wanted his son to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer too. His mother, a former beauty queen, wanted him to become a model.

Michael's parents put a lot of pressure on him to achieve their expectations. They enrolled him in the best schools and hired tutors to help him with his studies. Michael had to sacrifice his childhood to meet his parents' demands. He spent most of his time studying, attending extracurricular activities, and practicing sports.

Despite his hard work, Michael could never satisfy his parents. They always found something to criticize him about. If he got a B on a test, they would yell at him for hours. If he missed a goal in a soccer game, they would punish him by taking away his computer or phone.

As Michael grew older, he became resentful towards his parents. He felt like he was never good enough for them, no matter how hard he tried. He began to rebel against them, skipping school, and hanging out with the wrong crowd. He started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs.

Michael's parents were appalled by their son's behavior. They felt like they had failed as parents. They didn't understand why Michael was acting out, and they didn't know how to help him. Instead, they resorted to more negative parenting techniques, such as yelling, punishing, and criticizing him.

Michael's behavior continued to worsen, and he eventually dropped out of school. His parents disowned him and kicked him out of the house. Michael was devastated. He felt like he had no one in the world who cared about him.

For years, Michael struggled with addiction, depression, and low self-esteem. He couldn't hold down a job or maintain a relationship. He felt like he was a failure and that he would never amount to anything.

One day, Michael decided to seek help. He went to therapy and talked about his childhood and the way his parents had treated him. He realized that he had been a victim of negative parenting, and that his parents' behavior had contributed to his problems.

Positive parenting, negative parenting, and true parenting are three different approaches to raising children, and they can have vastly different effects on a child's development and well-being.

Positive parenting, also known as authoritative parenting, is a parenting style that emphasizes warmth, support, and guidance. Parents who use positive parenting strategies focus on building a strong relationship with their child, setting clear boundaries and expectations, and encouraging positive behavior. They use praise and positive reinforcement to reward good behavior and use natural consequences to teach their child about the consequences of their actions.

Negative parenting, also known as authoritarian parenting, is a parenting style that emphasizes control, discipline, and punishment. Parents who use negative parenting strategies tend to be strict and demanding, setting high expectations for their child and punishing them harshly for misbehavior. They may use physical discipline, such as spanking, and tend to rely on threats and criticism to control their child's behavior.

True parenting, also known as balanced parenting, is a parenting style that combines elements of both positive and negative parenting. Parents who use a true parenting approach strive to provide warmth and support while also setting clear boundaries and expectations. They use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior and may use discipline and consequences to address misbehavior. However, they do so in a way that is firm but fair and never crosses into abusive or neglectful behavior.

Negative parenting can have serious consequences for children's emotional and psychological well-being, as well as their social and academic development. Here are some potential solutions for negative parenting:

Seek professional help: If you are struggling with negative parenting, it can be helpful to seek the support of a mental health professional such as a therapist or counselor. They can help you identify the root causes of your negative parenting behaviors and provide you with strategies to improve your parenting skills.

Learn positive parenting techniques: There are many positive parenting techniques that can help you build a healthy and positive relationship with your child. These include active listening, positive reinforcement, setting boundaries and rules, and providing your child with emotional support and encouragement.

Practice self-care: Negative parenting can be a sign of stress and burnout. Taking care of yourself through regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest can help you manage stress and improve your mood, which can in turn improve your parenting skills.

Seek social support: Having a strong social support network can be invaluable in managing the stresses of parenting. This might include seeking the support of friends, family members, or other parents who can provide encouragement and advice.

Apologize and make amends: If you have engaged in negative parenting behaviors, it is important to take responsibility for your actions and apologize to your child. This can help repair the relationship and build trust.

Overall, the key to overcoming negative parenting is to recognize that there is a problem and to take steps to address it. With time and effort, it is possible to develop positive parenting skills and build a healthy, loving relationship with your child.

Michael also learned that he had to take responsibility for his life. He couldn't blame his parents for everything. He had to make a choice to change his behavior and take steps towards a better future.

Michael went back to school and earned his GED. He enrolled in college and studied psychology. He wanted to understand more about the effects of negative parenting and how to prevent it.

After graduating, Michael started his own counseling practice, specializing in helping people who had experienced negative parenting. He wrote a book about his experiences and how he overcame them. The book became a bestseller, and Michael became a well-respected author and speaker.

Through his work, Michael helped thousands of people who had experienced negative parenting. He showed them that they could overcome their past and create a better future. He also helped parents understand the impact of their behavior on their children and how to change their ways.

In the end, Michael forgave his parents for the way they had treated him. He realized that they were also victims of negative parenting, and that they had not known any better. He made peace with them before they passed away.

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About the Creator

Karthikeyan L M

With more than ten years of experience in teaching, Karthikeyan L M is an accomplished educator who has a strong enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge and instructing contemporary subjects that are pertinent to present-day society.

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