3 Long-Term Effects of a “Plastic Wrap Parenting” Style.

In recent years, the concept of “plastic wrap parenting” has emerged, depicting a parenting style characterized by overprotection and excessive control over a child’s life. This metaphorical term refers to parents who aim to wrap their children in a layer of protection, preventing them from experiencing the world and learning from their own mistakes. Although it is instinctive for parents to protect their children, this way of parenting can negatively affect the child’s development and well-being.

Features of “plastic wrap parenting” include:

• Overprotection. Parents may go to great lengths to protect their child from potential dangers, even if it limits their opportunities for growth and exploration.
• Helicopter trends. This includes parents hovering over their child’s every move, constantly monitoring and interfering with their activities.
• Micromanagement. Parents can exert too much control over their child’s choices and decisions, from their diet to their social circle.
• Fear of failure. Parents may worry too much about their child’s success and prevent them from taking risks or making mistakes.

Here are three unintended consequences of raising children with plastic wrap.

1. Difficulty making decisions

Children raised in a plastic wrap environment may struggle with decision making in their later years. Since their parents made most of the decisions for them, they may not have had the opportunity to practice making choices and weighing the consequences. As a result, they may experience difficulty making decisions as adults, leading to indecision and anxiety.

ONE study published in Emerging adulthood underscores this concept by revealing the effects of such restrictive parenting on adolescents’ sense of autonomy. Actions such as imposing strict rules and curfews, close supervision of academic decisions, and intervention in conflict resolution were recognized as significantly limiting adolescents’ autonomy and decision-making capabilities. Specifically, these actions during early adolescence were found to predict a higher likelihood of parental dependence in adulthood.

This lack of decision-making experience can also affect their ability to set goals and make long-term plans, as they may not have developed the skills to evaluate different options and consider possible outcomes. Additionally, they may rely heavily on others to make decisions for them, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of autonomy. Overall, inability to make decisions can significantly affect a child’s self-confidence and sense of agency, affecting their well-being and success in various aspects of life.

2. Inability to handle criticism

Children who have been overprotected and shielded from criticism may develop a lack of fragility self esteem, leading to dependence on the constant guidance and intervention of their parents. As a result, it may be difficult for them to handle constructive feedback or criticism in the future.

Absent the resilience and coping skills necessary to process and learn from criticism could lead to defensiveness or avoidance of situations where they might be examined. Lack of exposure to criticism could also hinder their ability to grow and improve, as they may not be receptive to recognizing their weaknesses or areas for development.

Additionally, they may struggle with self-reflection and self-awareness due to an inability to accept their own flaws and sit with the discomfort of observing themselves without filters. This struggle with handling criticism could, therefore, hinder their ability to reach their full potential.

3. Difficulty with adaptability

ONE study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that overprotection may increase psychological rigidity in adolescents. Psychological rigidity refers to a rigid and narrow way of thinking and behaving, which leads to difficulties in adapting to new situations and coping with stress. When parents are overprotective, they may shield their child from experiencing and learning from challenges and failures. As a result, the child may develop a fear of failure and reluctance to step out of their comfort zone, which can contribute to psychological rigidity.

A plastic wrap upbringing can hinder a child’s ability to adapt to new situations and environments. Since they have been sheltered from many experiences, they may have difficulty coping with change and unfamiliar circumstances.

This can manifest as difficulty adjusting to new schools, jobs, or relationships, as they may not have developed the flexibility and adaptability needed to navigate these transitions. Additionally, due to their limited understanding of different perspectives and ways of thinking, they may also struggle with problem solving and critical thinking.

While it’s natural for parents to want to protect their children, it’s important to strike a balance between protecting them and allowing them to explore and learn from their own experiences. Parents should strive to provide guidance and support while allowing their children to take risks and make mistakes in a safe and supportive environment.

Do you feel like your parenting cup is less than half full? take it Assessment of parental burnout to learn more.