7 Typical Signs You’re A Tiger Mum

It’s natural to want to give parenting your best shot to bring out the very best in your children. However, in the process, it’s easy to start taking things too far and evolve into a tiger parent without even realizing it.

So, are you a tiger mum or dad? Take a look at these 7 typical signs…

1. You have just too many rules

Take a look at all those rules of yours – are they all really necessary or just products of your overzealousness as a parent? For some parents, the answer to the above question is the latter, yet, they keep making fresh unnecessary rules every day.

Some children with such parents would tell being home feels almost like living in some sort of prison and it’s often a relief to be away, even if it’s just for a while.

2. Your child is afraid of you

Tiger parents are always yelling, dishing out often consequences or punishments and are experts at arriving at jumpy conclusions, nagging, belittling, criticizing, labelling and name-calling. Yet, they wonder why their children always seem to keep them at arm’s length or shiver when they step in or call their name.

3. Your child tells too many lies

Some kids would easily get a medal for misrepresenting the truth all too often in such a smooth or smart manner, but often, it’s all thanks to their parents’ harsh or authoritarian parenting methods.

Children who have a tiger parent would do just about anything, including telling well fabricated lies, to avoid scolding, confrontation or punishment. The sad thing is, as you keep up with your harsh parenting, they’re equally devising smarter ways to get better at their game so you get to catch them in the act less often.

READ ALSO: 13 Secrets to Building a Great Relationship with Your Child

4. You always impose your will

Do you always tell your child ‘because I said so’ whenever they try to find out why things can’t be done any differently? Your child has no say whatsoever on anything, after all, ‘you’re much wiser and can only make the best choices’.

Your child already knows it’s no use trying to argue with you as you’ll get him to comply at all costs, and is now all too willing to say a subtle ‘yes ma’ or ‘sir’ to everyone of your often annoying biddings.

5. Your child hardly invites friends over

That’s likely because he knows how you are and doesn’t want to be embarrassed in any way or have friends think you’re not cool like their own parents or others they’ve met.

You’re probably as cold as ice as well.

6. You hardly play

You always take things too seriously and can’t remember when last you really had fun with your child or laughed hard at his jokes or yours. Would your child even dare to share a joke with you?

7. You put too much pressure

Your child’s interest or the price he has to pay doesn’t matter – there are just certain things you’ve always dreamed of and have mapped out for him to do. Even when he clearly needs some breathing space, you keep berating and pushing – your child’s only motivation is the constant fear of your tongue-lashing for not meeting up with your standards.

If you’re guilty of most or all of the above, it’s best to loosen the reins to develop a healthier relationship with your child and foster achieving best parenting outcomes.