"No puedes proteger demasiado a tus hijos"

Protecting children is one of the most instinctive things for any parent. At the core, this idea suggests that while it's natural to want to shield kids from the world’s dangers, doing too much can be detrimental. It implies that overprotection might hamper a child's ability to grow, learn, and become resilient.

Historically, this concern has grown more prominent as societies have become safer and more controlled. Think about it—just a few generations ago, kids were freer to roam and explore. They played outside until dusk, climbed trees, and biked without helmets. Today, we see helicopter parenting as a response to an increasingly connected world where dangers seem more apparent, thanks to the constant stream of news and social media. It’s a reaction to wanting to safeguard children from any possible harm, physical or emotional.

Take a real-life example: a friend of mine who never let her son walk to school alone. Sure, it sounds like a solid safety measure. But this went on until he was in high school. The result? He struggled with independence, often anxious about making decisions without his parents. Only when he went to college did he begin to develop these essential life skills—albeit, a little late.

So, how can you strike a balance? The trick is in guiding rather than guarding. Encourage your children to take small risks appropriate for their age. Let them fall and scrape their knees. It’s in these moments they learn to get back up, dust themselves off, and keep moving forward. Teach them to assess risks and make decisions. Be there as a safety net but not as a shield that blocks every potential bump in the road.

Imagine this scenario: You’re teaching your child to ride a bike. You hold the seat, run alongside, and give them tips. But at some point, you have to let go. If you never do, they’d never learn to balance, pedal, or steer independently. It’s scary to let go, but watching them wobbly at first, then confidently pedaling away, is rewarding. They’ll fall a few times, sure. But each fall teaches them something valuable about balance and resilience.

Share a story around the dinner table about a time you faced a challenge and what you learned from it. Show that making mistakes and encountering difficulties are part of life, and overcoming these is what builds character. Let them tackle problems on their own, whether it's figuring out math homework or resolving a spat with a friend.

Overprotecting your children might give you peace of mind, but it won’t necessarily equip them for the real world. They need to learn to navigate life’s ups and downs. In the end, it’s about raising adults who can stand on their own two feet and face whatever comes their way with confidence. So, next time you’re tempted to step in and protect your child from every little thing, think about the long-term game. You’re not just raising kids—you’re raising future adults.