Whoops... Bad parenting habits we could all do with breaking

Being a mum is tough, and as you try to navigate your way through the parenting minefield, it is easy for a few bad habits to slip in.

Habits that can make your job even harder. 

So, to help make your life a lot easier we have compiled a list of the most common parenting habits, and how you can break them: 

1. You are not being consistent

There is no point setting your child limits or curfews if you are not going to be consistent in implementing them. It is easy to say you have to be home at nine every weekday but it is so much harder to actually implement it. If you are always allowing five minutes here and there, your teen will struggle to respect you and your parenting. Make sure you stick to your rules, otherwise they won't. 

2. You do everything for them  

Sometimes it is easier to do the job ourselves, but how is your child ever going to learn to be independent if you are always picking up after them? While it is ok every once in a while, it is important you allow your youngster gain a sense of independence by showing them how to do things themselves. 

3. You don't listen to them

When something goes wrong you immediately jump to conclusions and punishments before giving your child a chance to speak up. You work on an act now, listen later basis – and your son or daughter will eventually lose all trust in you if you continue. Give them a chance to voice their opinions before doing anything, you never know what you might find out. 

4. You don't give specific instructions

Have you ever heard yourself say ‘can you put your shoes away?’ or ‘can you tidy your room?' Asking your teen a question rather than giving a specific instruction often means the task goes undone – sure, if they don’t have to do it why would they? When getting your children to do something you need to tell them rather than ask them – 'pick up your shoes, please' or 'please tidy your room'.