Of course, every parent has their own mistakes and there is no single rule that clearly outlines how to act in a particular situation. Notwithstanding, some recommendations still exist. We’ve gathered some parents from fairy tales and Disney movies and analyzed their behaviors that any parents should avoid.
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#1 Making fun of a child’s dreams (The Little Mermaid)
In real life, many parents treat them like that. Their behaviors can make their kids less self-confident. So if you’re Ariel’s father, you should sit and talk about any possible dangers that she can face.
#2 Devaluation (Cinderella)
Cinderella never gets her mother’s love. No matter what she works hard, her stepmother always finds something to complain about. And her stepmother’s behavior contributes to her stepsisters becoming narcissists.
Many believe that if the stepmother least showed her gratitude for Cinderella, the story would likely have a different ending.
#3 Ignoring a kid’s fears (Hansel and Gretel)
You might lose your kid if you had the behavior of Hansel and Gretel’s parents. So, one of the first things to do is to listen to children’s fears.
A kid’s psyche is arranged differently so parents shouldn’t ignore their fears.
#4 Disrespect for personal boundaries (King Thrushbeard)
Princesses are often given in marriage to strengthen the power of the kingdom. Thankfully, in fairy tales, everything is usually resolved safely by some miracle.
Like in reality, many parents ignore a kid’s opinion which leads to negative consequences. Children can defend their boundaries and interests, suffering very much from this in adulthood.
#5 Guilt trips (The Gingerbread Man)
“The Gingerbread Man” is considered a story about growing up. The Gingerbread Man leaves his home to explore the world but his parents asked him to come back. But it’s unlikely that this behavior happens just because they want to keep him safe. After all, his parents baked him for themselves, and he left without their permission.
Parents don’t always run after their kids. So in this case, The Gingerbread Man’s parents should have sincere talks, sharing the fact that they count on him and that his elderly parents need help.
#6 Shifting responsibility from the child to others (Pinocchio)
Remember that in the original fairy tale, an old carpenter feels scared when he finds out that a log he was working on can talk. He gives away the piece of wood to his friend immediately.
So in real life, the burden of parental responsibility carries so much weight and is so scary that it is easier to either give it up altogether or shift the blame to someone else. But remember that perfect parents don’t exist and don’t too panic if something goes wrong.
#7 Shifting responsibility to the kid (Little Red Riding Hood)
After reading “Little Red Riding Hood”, many wonders how could a mother send her little daughter into the forest alone?
In real life, many parents also put responsibilities on their kids and ignore their age. It can result in dangerous situations and psychological issues. Some parents should also reconsider the number of duties they put on their kids, who are not adults yet.
#8 Parental tyranny (The Swineherd)
Any King wants his daughter to get married to a prince or someone rich. In the story, when the princess kissed the swineherd who wasn’t behaving honestly and nobly, the king drove his daughter out of the house.
In real life, these tough and powerful parents act like tyrants whom no one can go against, especially if it's a small and completely dependent creature. So sometimes, parents should learn forgiveness.