By: Natasha Archary
There might have been a time, when your child was much younger, when they thought you were the coolest thing since sliced bread.
You were their be-all and end-all, their source of comfort and joy, and they couldn’t wait to spend time with you and have you around them.
But, that’s changed.
As they grow older, become more mature and independent, particularly during their pre-teen phase and into their teenage years, it seems everything you do is embarrassing to them.
One day you’re the cool mom or dad, their go-to for anything and everything, and the next, you’re being called “bruh” in exasperation.
You might think it’s cute to still want to kiss and cuddle them in public or in front of their friends, but you’re actually embarrassing your kids!
Things parents do in public that are embarrassing
From calling your child a nickname in front of family or their friends, to disciplining them in public, hand holding, or kissing and hugging them in public, parents are often not aware that these actions do leave children feeling embarrassed.
As a parent it’s important to acknowledge when your child expresses that something you does makes them feel a type of way, and it’s even more important that you stop doing it.
Especially in front of their friends at school. Once a child informs you that something you’re doing is embarrassing them, they require the reassurance from you to stop that behaviour.
Not only are they maturing and learning how to be their own person, but they’re going through hormonal and physical changes during their pre-teen and teenage years which need to be validated.
From the age of 10 to 18-years, children struggle with their emotions and find it difficult to deal with humiliation. Trying to fit in at school and with their peers places a lot of pressure on them, and parents need to be mindful that they are not embarrassing or worse, humiliating their children in public.
Forcing a child to do something they don’t want to do, whether it’s dancing or singing during family get-togethers, showing people funny pictures or videos of your child in their presence or trying too hard to be cool in front of their friends, can leave your child want to run and hide and just be invisible.
Listen to the conversation on Drive 959:
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