The effects of overprotective parenting

Psychologist Rebecca Eberlin, PhD, explains the negative consequences that overprotective parents can have on kids and how to give your child the opportunity to learn for themselves
How Overprotective Parenting Affects Children
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The effects of overprotective parenting

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Parent's instinct to protect their children can, in some instances, be counterproductive. What we see nowadays is a lot of parents jumping in and wanting to save their child from any struggle or hurt or inevitable pain they might experience. What we recommend parents do is take a deep breath and give their child an opportunity to get through a tough situation. What's missing so much today is that idea of character and grit in children. We want them to have the ability to pull themselves through difficult times. If parents don't offer that to their children at a young age, when they are older, and not always around, they may have a little bit harder of a time. The more practice they get at pulling themselves through difficult situations, the better they are going to be at it when you are not around. You really need to do it. For example, if you have a child over as a play date for your own son or daughter, and as you are watching them, you realize that your child is starting to struggle a little bit, maybe they are not getting along with the other child or they are losing focus in the play, wait on your instinct to rush in and organize the play. Give your child the opportunity to re-engage and feel successful in that moment. It's those successes that are essential in your child feeling confident and secure.

Psychologist Rebecca Eberlin, PhD, explains the negative consequences that overprotective parents can have on kids and how to give your child the opportunity to learn for themselves

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Rebecca Eberlin, PhD

Psychologist

I am a California state licensed psychologist, who specializes in providing evidence-based treatment and assessment to children, adults and families with a variety of emotional, behavioral and developmental challenges.

A proud Wolverine, I graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Political Science. I then returned to California and completed my Doctoral training at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, an APA accredited pre-doctoral internship at Sharp HealthCare, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Children’s Health Council.

I relocated to Los Angeles in the summer of 2011 to conduct prevention-focused research at UCLA’s Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the Global Center for Children and Families. During my time at UCLA, I became the lead psychologist and Director of Services and Operations at the UCLA Family Commons in Santa Monica.

Throughout the course of my career, my research and treatment interests have included working with children, adolescents and adults who struggle with behavioral and emotional challenges, such as depression, anxiety, impulse control disorders, developmental disabilities and other family-based issues. I also conduct parent education seminars that focus on a wide variety of issues including resiliency, stress, relationships, social media and friendship and bullying.

While my primary location is West Los Angeles, I also have offices in Northern California. If you are interested in obtaining coaching or cognitive testing services in the Bay Area, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please please visit my website to learn more about me, my practice and how therapy can work for you.

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Transcription: 
Parent's instinct to protect their children can, in some instances, be counterproductive. What we see nowadays is a lot of parents jumping in and wanting to save their child from any struggle or hurt or inevitable pain they might experience. What we recommend parents do is take a deep breath and give their child an opportunity to get through a tough situation. What's missing so much today is that idea of character and grit in children. We want them to have the ability to pull themselves through difficult times. If parents don't offer that to their children at a young age, when they are older, and not always around, they may have a little bit harder of a time. The more practice they get at pulling themselves through difficult situations, the better they are going to be at it when you are not around. You really need to do it. For example, if you have a child over as a play date for your own son or daughter, and as you are watching them, you realize that your child is starting to struggle a little bit, maybe they are not getting along with the other child or they are losing focus in the play, wait on your instinct to rush in and organize the play. Give your child the opportunity to re-engage and feel successful in that moment. It's those successes that are essential in your child feeling confident and secure.