what are bulldozer parents

Parenting styles have evolved over time. From a time when children were expected to be seen but not heard, to a time when children are encouraged to express themselves, parental roles have changed a great deal. In recent times, the term bulldozer parenting has emerged to describe the style of parents who do everything to remove obstacles and problems from their children's lives.

What Is bulldozer parenting?

Bulldozer parenting is a term used to describe an approach to parenting that involves removing any obstacle that could cause anxiety, frustration or discomfort for a child. These parents, also known as helicopter or snowplow parents, are overprotective to the extreme. They take responsibility for everything and believe that their children should not have to struggle or experience failure. They intervene in every aspect of their child's life to ensure their protection from any potential discomfort.

Why Do Parents Bulldoze?

Bulldozer parents often have the best of intentions. They want their child to be successful and happy, and they believe that the best way to achieve this is by removing any obstacle that could hinder their progress. Most parents who adopt this style have experienced struggles in their own lives and want to spare their children from facing similar obstacles. They genuinely want their kids to succeed and be happy. The irony, however, is that bulldozer parenting sets the child up for failure.

What Are the Consequences?

Bulldozer parenting can have a negative effect on a child's overall development. Children who are sheltered from struggles, pain, and setbacks grow up to be ill-equipped to deal with the realities of adulthood. They struggle to cope with failure, anxiety, and frustration, a recipe for an unfulfilled life. This parenting style can lead to children lacking decision-making skills since every decision has always been made for them. They can also grow up to lack self-esteem and feel inadequate since they never learned to cope with challenges and setbacks.

What Can Be Done?

To break free from bulldozer parenting, parents need to understand that struggles and setbacks are a natural part of life. Instead of focusing on removing these obstacles, parents should teach their children how to cope with them. Children can learn how to bounce back from disappointment, face their fears and grow from failure. Parents can start by allowing their children to make decisions and learn from their mistakes. Bullying parents can take a step back, stop micromanaging, and allow their children to learn and grow on their own.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bulldozer parenting is not the best approach to raising children. While it may seem like the best way to protect children from failures, it ultimately sets them up for a lifetime of struggles. Instead, parents should be there to support and guide their children through the ups and downs of life while equipping them with the tools to overcome difficult situations. Parents who embrace this approach to parenting help their children become resilient, confident, and strong individuals who can navigate the world with ease.