Do you consider yourself an overprotective parent? Brother? Sister? etc.?

@laydee (12798)
Philippines
May 11, 2009 8:42am CST
They say it's different when you're raising your own. I could remember the time when we were younger. My aunt would always be too overprotective with our cousin. She'd run around after him just to put powder on his back and make sure that he's not sweaty. She'd also be too protective of him when it comes to mosquitoes and other 'dangers'. I didn't really think there was something to be worried about that time. But now that I'm older, I somehow get it. I do have a close nephew who lives with us and he's turning two. I also have taken care of my little brother who is actually 15years younger than me. And I could see mothers (friends and relatives) who are doing what my aunt used to do. Hehehe.. But still, I guess I could never really say if I'm over protective or not, it remains to be seen when I have kids of my own. But what do you think? Are you overprotective?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@agreen (39)
• United States
11 May 09
I'm an overprotective parent and I'm okay with that. My parents were and now that I'm older, I understand why. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make sure that your kids are safe and not running around the neighborhood getting into trouble or hurt. I'm not protective when it comes to things that you mentioned, but def when it comes to where they go, who they play with and where they play.
11 May 09
i am overprtective in that sense i will not let her go certain places whe she is old enough lol
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@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
15 May 09
I guess it's normal for mommy's to be like that. But I guess too much attention on the child would also make him/her too attached. I mean, we were not allowed outside our house (we lived in a compound with all my cousins), but we were just allowed anything within that area. As for my cousin, he was even restricted to go down the 2nd floor most of the times, but perhaps it was because he was the sickly type.
• Philippines
12 May 09
When my younger brother was born, I can say I am overprotective to him. I did not want him to step on the floor, I always carry him. When he wants to walk I was still there holding his hands. But when he grew up, I was unprotective, because he gets angry when I don't let him do what he wants. It is just because I really love him and I am happy that a have a younger brother. Actually he gets older now and he is now the protective younger brother of me, not over. He always waits for me when I go home late, he is the one who is worried LOl.
• China
12 May 09
I regard myself is not overprotective as you all have told the fact that children should be independent before they grow up to face the difficult and unpredictable world. but been a parent, don't you really ignore the degerous things happened around the kids? so, we are always on the cross-road, wish the children to be indepent on something that we think they can deal with, but always thinking if they fail, they may be hurt themselvies. These are controdiction, are they? of course. they are, and the world is the integration of controdiction. be a parent, we must see clearly, what are the things we should let the kids to do, what are the things we should not let them to do. we base on our own experience and make a decision. on this point, be a good parent, is not means your are successful on other fields. You should keep learning and make correct decision by yourself, whether or not what are you. So, be smart, be sensitive, it's the only way to go for raising the kids healthy. Remain: we are not saint, we always make mistake, we do what we think it's right for the kids, we should bravely accept the mistake we do. because we do the best we can.
• India
12 May 09
No, I don’t consider myself an over-protective parent. My mom was extremely over-protective, she kind of loved to control my life, rather she thought children don’t have a life of their own, their parents decide their lives for them so I kind of grew up with a determination that when I become a mom, I would never ever be overprotective or controlling of my children. I have kept my word to myself though sometimes I get really confused like when my son answers back a lot or he takes decisions which I feel are not correct or he wants his independence in most things…after all he’s just turning 10 and entering adolescence, which is another big trouble coming up.
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@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
11 May 09
With the way things are these days I think you have to be over protective. I remember visiting cousins once and thinking she was too protective of her kids. But I think you have to be. There are so many more dangers it seems then when I was a kid. I think I'm not too over protective, but in the area we are in it is pretty safe. Probably not as safe as I think though. I'm still pretty careful.
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@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
15 May 09
If you're too over protective with you kid, what'll happen when he/she is alone in the world and no mommy to guide him/her? There's quite a huge downfall to being over protective. But still, I think parents just can't help it.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
12 May 09
Hello laydee. I think that I am the kind of overprotective parent. When my son was very little and even when he reached ten years old, I worried so much about him outside home. But it is good that he is growing like all the other children... I think that it is what most of us parents do to be protective or overprotective of our children to some degree. My parents are now old in their seventies and eighties. Each time they come to visit us, I always see them all the way off to the bus station to make sure that they get on the city bus safely. So I think that I am very protective not only to my children but also to my parents.
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@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
15 May 09
I think being over protective is also because we know more about he things to be 'feared' of in the area or in this lifetime. The more we hear about news of kidnapping, murder and other types of havoc, we tend to fear more for those who go out of the house. Perhaps this is what causes us to be overprotective to everyone. I am also being over protective with my boyfriend who's living a few miles away, and also to my parents and siblings as well! Whew! All these worrying just stresses me off, that's why sometimes, I'd just like to shut down my mind and let it go!
@dsharat (456)
• India
12 May 09
Well I'm just a protected kid for my dad.He always tries to tell every thing about any work that I have to do,so that I shall not make any mistakes in doing it.It feels OK when he tells me about those things I don't know but he keeps on telling me the things that I know also.It doesn't matter much but some times its irritating.I think he does it because of the affection and love towards me.There are few unlucky people whose parents doesn't even care about them... I think its not over protection or any other thing..its their love and care towards us,that keeps us always happy and safe..
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@sanuanu (11235)
• India
12 May 09
I have not yet played a role of parent in my life. My brother and sister are two years younger and older to I, so never had any chance of becoming a parent. Well, but I think I will be an overprotective parent as I am kind of person who always worrys about his loved ones!
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@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
12 May 09
i am protective parent but not OVER. lol i do give my kids space to grow.. i am scared when they fall or hurt themselves, but then that is where there is room to grow for them to expound and learn.. so i let them once in awhile..
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@angelsmummy (1696)
11 May 09
i am kinda overprotective of my daughter although i let her fall and bump her head and things like that too teach her not to do it again also i dont jump up when she cries i let her get over stuff herself as it makes for a stronger child, i want her to be independant so she doesnt need to rely on people, some people may think that its cruel as she is only 11 months but i think if you teach them young they can use what they have learned as they get older.