Strict and Toxic Parent: Raising children is a responsible job. Every parent wants their children to be disciplined, successful, and make the right decisions in life. But in this desire, many times parents adopt such strictness or behavior, which has a bad effect on the mental health of children. Many times it becomes difficult to understand whether the parents are just strict or their behavior has become toxic for the children.

The difference between strict and toxic parenting is very deep. Let us know what the difference is between these two and how to identify whether there is strictness or an atmosphere of emotional pressure in a house.

1. Strict parents set rules, and toxic parents control emotions

Strict parents insist on teaching children to work on time, complete their studies, and teach discipline. Their rules are made for the welfare of children, such as “First studies, then play.”

On the other hand, toxic parents put more pressure on the emotional state of the children than on their work. They put conditions for giving love and affection, such as – “If the marks are not good, do not talk to me.” This makes the child feel that his value is only from his achievements, not from his own identity.

2. Strict parents teach respect, toxic ones create fear

Strict parents teach children to obey elders, but at the same time give them the freedom to ask questions. They consider debate a positive thing, which makes children better at thinking and understanding.

On the contrary, toxic parents consider raising questions as rebellion. They say sentences like “Don’t answer!” and suppress the voice of children. The result is that children start feeling scared from within and feel hesitant to speak their minds.

3. Strict parents make children strong; toxic ones want to make them their shadow

Strict parents prepare children in such a way that they can make their own decisions in the future. They make children aware of the reality of the world and teach them to be self-reliant.

But toxic parents impose their failures, fears, and unfulfilled desires on children. They want the child to become what they wanted to be. Children gradually lose their identity and start considering themselves an extension of their parents.

4. Strict parenting brings accountability in children; toxic parenting creates shame

When a child makes a mistake, strict parents explain to him, fix his responsibility and give him a chance to improve. They aim to teach the child a lesson.

While toxic parents shame the child for his mistake. They taunt, speak insulting words and break the self-confidence. They make one mistake look like a total failure.

5. Strict parents change themselves over time, toxic parents are always in control
Good parents change their ways over time. As the child grows up, they start giving him more freedom and give importance to his thoughts.

But toxic parents want to maintain control at every age. They do not want the child to think or take decisions on his own. They try to give orders on everything, which leads to anger, rebellion or mental distance in the child.

Not all strictness is bad and not every limit means control. The difference is in how parents see their children – as an independent person, or just as a statue that they want to carve according to their wishes.PC Social media