Parenting Mistakes that can have long-term effects on children

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu):Imposing one’s views on a child can have a significant negative impact, often leading to a strained relationship between parents and their children. Such practices may cause frustration, resentment, and even emotional damage, affecting the child's future happiness. Key mistakes include forcing children into career paths or life decisions they don’t want, especially in matters like education, career choices, and marriage.

Parents often impose their own beliefs about what’s "best" for their children. For example, they may push their child into a career like engineering, even when the child has a passion for history, believing this path offers more stability or success. Over time, the child might harbor deep frustration, feeling trapped in a life chosen for them rather than one they dreamed of themselves. Similarly, when parents pressure children about marriage—be it when to marry or who to marry—the child may feel alienated, potentially leading to lifelong resentment.

The underlying issue here is that when parents impose their decisions without considering the child’s desires or feelings, they risk damaging the parent-child bond. Allowing children to make their own decisions, particularly when it comes to their careers or personal lives, is essential for their well-being and future happiness.

**A Tale of Two Paths**

There once was a young man named Raj, who dreamed of becoming a historian. His heart was set on studying the past and uncovering hidden stories. But his parents, fearing he wouldn’t have a stable future, insisted that he pursue engineering. Though Raj did well in his studies, he was never truly happy. Years went by, and Raj achieved success in his engineering career, but the anger and frustration he felt towards his parents for forcing him onto this path never left him. One day, while walking through an old library, he stumbled upon a dusty book about his favorite historical period, and at that moment, the dream he had abandoned came rushing back. He realized that no matter how much success he achieved, it could never replace the joy of following his true passion. Raj’s story serves as a reminder: letting children choose their own path, even if it differs from what parents envision, is essential for their happiness and future fulfillment.