Parents Are Always Worried
It doesn't matter if you're five years old or forty, no matter what age you are, your parents will always be worried about you. From being concerned that you're about to wet your pants to giving birth to your own first child, all these worries stem from a place of love and care. They stress because they want nothing but the best for you! Here are 20 fears all parents share about their kids. Anything else to throw on this list?
1. They Grow Reliant On Technology
A growing concern for parents of this generation is the role of technology in children's growth. As something completely foreign from their own childhoods, technology in the form of iPads, phones, TVs, and computers has changed how kids grow up. The primary worry is that young people will grow too dependent on these tools, becoming attached to their phones, using AI to cheat, or sitting in front of a computer playing games all day.
2. They Get Bullied At School
Sending kids off to school for the very first time is a bittersweet moment. While parents are excited to see their babies take their first step into the world, new fears start bubbling up too. All moms and dads will always be worried their kids are getting bullied at school. Because when you're not there to monitor, how can you ever know for sure unless they tell you?
3. They Are The Bully
And on the flip side of things, what if your kid is the bully? While good parents always do their best to help their children grow into the best person they can be, there are some factors outside of their control. We know they'd be absolutely devastated to learn their child has become a terrible person.
4. They Become Sick
This may just be every parent's worst nightmare. While small illnesses like the common flu are enough to scare parents, learning that their child has a terrible disease or condition is the ultimate fear. Anything that is taken out of a parent's hands and can't be controlled is the hardest to accept.
5. They Grow Distant
While babies are dependent on you as they grow up, it's different as your children get older. Many parents grow more and more concerned that their kids will grow distant and leave the nest as they become adults. This can often lead to some discourse, with parents wanting to protect and keep them near, and the children wanting to spread their wings and follow their own path.
6. They Lack Discipline
Parents know that there's only so much they can do to help their kids flourish and become respectable adults. While moms and dads do play an important role in helping to shape them, a lot of the rest is up to the child. One big worry that parents have is that their kids will grow to lack discipline, leading them to become lazy and immature. It's hard to instill that trait the older kids get.
7. They Get Involved With The Wrong Crowd
Who you choose to surround yourself with can really determine your future and who you become. When you're around supportive and loving friends, you'll likely become just as good as a person. But if you hang out with questionable crowds that pressure you into making bad decisions, it'll lead to consequences. Parents are fully aware of this, and no matter how much they might persuade their kids to do otherwise, they know (and fear) that it's outside of their control.
8. They Do Poorly In School
All parents hope their kids will perform well in school and achieve good grades, but we all know that isn't always the case. People learn in different ways, and the reality is, school isn't built for everyone. While being skilled in studying and taking tests is the easiest route parents cross their fingers for, dealing with poor grades and difficulty learning is a tough challenge for anyone to overcome.
9. They Don't Have Any Dreams Or Aspirations
The scariest thing for parents to hear when asking their kids what their dreams are is, "nothing." Knowing your children don't have goals or aspirations can be extremely unsettling, especially when you know you can't make them for them. Parents want their kids to reach for the stars, not settle for nothing.
10. They Keep Secrets
While there's nothing wrong with keeping innocent secrets and keeping your personal life personal, it can be concerning when it feels like your kids aren't comfortable with sharing things with you. Parents hope to create an open space in the home that feels safe, and it can feel nervewracking knowing your children are hiding something bad and not telling you. Deep down, all parents want to do is help and make sure everything is okay.
11. They Lack Social Skills
It's safe to say that social skills are something that can't always be taught and parents know this well. What are you supposed to do if you have an awkward child? While you want them to make friends and have fun, it can be difficult guiding them and teaching them how to interact with others. Because social skills don't just impact friend-making, it'll affect how you are in school, work, and so much more.
12. They Don't Have Any Friends
And if you learn that your child doesn't have any friends, different fears start to surface. Parents never want their kids to feel alone, and as adults, know the importance of having close people around you. Aware that they can't stand by their kid's side anymore for all hours of the day, it can feel especially worrisome knowing they don't have someone else to rely on.
13. They Might Get Into Accidents
Whether it's worrying your toddler might cross the street without looking or that your teen will get into a car accident as they learn to drive, parents have an endless line of concerns throughout their parenting journey. There's always something to be worried about, and while often times it's foolish thinking, it simply means that they care and love for their kids.
14. They Get Into A Bad Relationship
As children grow into young adults, they'll begin exploring relationships and what it means to be in love. Of course, for any parent, this is a nerve-wracking time as you watch your babies become men and women. Sometimes, parents can become a bit overbearing and too protective of their kids as they begin to date, but it's all out of concern for their safety. They just want them to be with someone who treats them well.
15. They Develop Bad Habits
No matter how much you try to tell young people the dangers of certain habits like smoking or drinking, sometimes it feels like it goes in one year and out the next. Parents willl always do their best to warn their children about health consequences that come from adopting bad habits, but it's up to the child to listen and follow through.
16. They Become Liars
No one wants to raise a liar. What could be more stressful than having a kid who you can't trust? Parents will always give it their all to raise their children into upstanding people, so seeing their child walk down a different path can be very stressful. Who knows what the best way to deal with it is?
17. They Make The Same Mistakes
It's easy to feel defeated knowing that you couldn't protect your child from making the same mistakes you once made. For many moms and dads who try to steer their kids down the right path, it's always a worry thinking that you might not be able to save them. If you know the pain of a certain mistake, the last thing you want is for your kids to experience that too.
18. They Can't Support Themselves
We all know how rough the economy is, and these days, it's getting harder and harder for young people to own a house and live comfortably. To put it simply, things cost far too much these days! And for parents who want nothing but the best for their kids, it can be heartbreaking seeing them turn away from their dreams just because they can't afford it.
19. They End Up Alone
Unless it's something they choose intently for themselves, parents hate the idea of their kids ending up alone without a partner in life. They want to see them have their happy ending and feel comforted knowing that when it's their time to leave the Earth, their kids are well taken care of by their significant other.
20. They Aren't Happy
While this was essentially alluded to in every single point of this article, the biggest thing all parents stress and worry about is that their kids aren't happy. At the end of the day, all parents hope and wish for is that their chilldren are happy with their life. While they'll do their best to help with this, they can't protect them from all the dangers in the world and that can be really scary to acknowledge.
