The Seven Types of Overbearing Parenting Styles
Welcome to The Seven Types of Overbearing Parenting Styles—or as I like to call it, a slightly uncomfortable mirror for those of us who maybe, possibly, just a little bit micromanage our teens. Whether you’re scheduling their lives down to the minute, packing enough supplies in their backpack for a minor apocalypse, or proofreading their homework like it’s a legal document, you might be crossing into “too much” territory. But hey, no judgment—I’ve been there too. This guide is a playful nudge (okay, maybe a gentle shove) to help us recognize when our well-meaning instincts turn into over-the-top antics. Let’s dive in and see which of these parenting personalities rings a little too true!
The Ant Colony Commander
If your schedules look like you are in charge of a super-organized ant colony, with minutes scheduled down and dozens of reminders set on your phone regularly, you might be in overbearing territory. Remember, between school, extracurriculars, and whatever it is teens do on their phone for hours, they need some breathing room to just chill and, you know, be a teenager.
The Mother Hen
If you have the need to stuff your teen’s backpack with snacks, hand sanitizer, and extra layers of clothes for “just in case.” If you are constantly asking, “Where are you?” and “Who are you with?” it might be time to chill. Sure, we all want our children to be safe, but teens need to make their own (often questionable) decisions, like skateboarding down a hill or trying that TikTok challenge. A few bumps and bruises are part of the growing-up process.
The Hovering Hawk
If you see yourself hovering like a hawk every time your teen makes a decision, ready to swoop in at the first sign of trouble, it’s time to take a step back. Teens need to figure out on their own that procrastinating on their big project until the night before it’s due wasn’t the best plan—and they’ll survive it!
The Wise Owl (… that won’t stop talking)
If you’re always jumping in with solutions to any problem, even ones your teen didn’t even know they had—like launching into a full conversation about healthy eating habits when they’re just trying to grab a snack on their way out—it might be time to take a break. Sometimes, teens don’t need everything analyzed or turned into a lesson. It’s not always necessary to analyze every small decision. Sometimes, it’s just that: a simple, inconsequential choice.
The Guard Dog
While it’s beneficial to be aware of your teen’s friends, it’s not advisable to scrutinize each one like a house guard dog. Dogs are loyal protectors, but even they know when to relax. Let your teen choose their own pack—they’ll figure out who to hang with! When left alone, their good and sensible friend choice may surprise you.
The Busy Bee (Perfectionist Extraordinaire)
If you’re staying up all night perfecting your teen’s science project, you’re doing it wrong. It’s their project, not yours! If your teen asks for help practicing their presentation, and you end up writing the entire speech, it’s time to pause and take a step back. Unless, of course, you secretly miss high school and want another shot at that A+.
The Tiger Mom
If you expect only top grades from your teens and nothing less than excellence, if you believe that strictness and high standards are the best way to ensure their success in life, and if you see anything less than perfect is a failure, you might be a tiger mom. It may be time to consider your teen’s emotional well-being as more important than straight A’s, because after all, while striving for success is great, teens also need room to breathe, make mistakes, and occasionally binge-watch Netflix—otherwise, they might end up thinking life’s a never-ending exam!
What parenting style are you? I can see a little bit of myself in all of them. However, it’s not about putting a label on your parenting style or avoiding becoming one. It’s about checking in every now and then to ensure you’re not crossing the line from caring to overbearing. The key is knowing when to step back and let go.
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