Implication of overworking parents on children
In the 21st century we are living in times where the economy is high and meeting daily family needs requires extra effort. In most households, it’s most likely to find that both the mother and the father are working to meet the never-ending bills. This often than not creates a situation where the children never have quality time with their parents as they are always away working. In situations whereby the parents are always out working at least eight hours a day the children are left on the receiving end. Finding the balance between work, social life and kids becomes a difficult gamble to manage. Children are the most affected in these circumstances because they hardly get time to bond with their parents this may sometimes affect their development of social skills. Having overworking parents in a household has a negative influence on the children.
Households with both working parents are able to experience a quality lifestyle as a result of the joint source of income that is contributed by both parents. However, according to physiological research, the children tend to suffer the effects of not spending quality time with the parents and getting the undivided attention given by the parent… Children tend to become stubborn restless and unable to focus when they away from their parents in daycares and also in presence of their nannies who are hired to take care of them. The lack of close supervision from parents in my experience makes the children easier to influence and can take up negative habits. Children also feel lonely when they do not spend time with their parents due to a lack of parent-child bond.
According to one British psychologist John Bowlby, who is the founding father of attachment theory explains how parent child bond impacts the child’s behavior This he explains is the way a child interacts with his first caregivers when young usually forms the basis of his other relationships in future. This is the way the child interacts with others in forming relationships and friendships. If a child acts out a lot in the absence of the parents due to a lack of attachment between them this may influence him in the future. In a report by Sunttorn Trust four in every ten children we meet lack strong parental attachment
Children who spend their early childhood in an environment that tends to their needs but do not receive the care they need develop problems with social interactions. The child may end up being an adult with attachment issues where they become so afraid of any close relationship with anyone. In another occasion, they may become overly dependent on any relationship in a way that is questioning. This is because they lack the care and attention that can be given by parents as they are away working.
Overworking parents are often away from their children's everyday lives which means they are not always there to overlook the activities their children are engaged in. These bring about circumstances where the kids do not instantly seek their parents' opinion and advice when they go about their lives. Their peers end up being their role models and people they look up to. Sometimes this is not a good thing as the child may be lonely in seeking the company of their peers they may be influenced into trying and engaging in substance abuse. Children who fall prey to substance abuse such as alcohol at an early age usually influence others to do the same or are mostly found in the company of other young abusers.
In more often than not children may end up been truant as a way of acting out and getting their parents' attention. Children may become truant at school or may become aggressive towards their caregivers in the absence of their parents. A child may act out since they are experiencing a hard time expressing the way they feel. For instance, in a stressful, scary, and frustrating situation, a child may not know how to react or show their emotions. In an event when it’s difficult for the child to identify the emotions and lack parental guidance to tell them it’s okay and normal they end up acting up. Acting up to children may inform of disobedience and throwing random tantrums. It is important for children to know that you are there to love and support them no matter what. Give the children assurance that they can come to talk to you regarding their concerns. This gives a child to gain confidence in the parent despite the parent not always been present in day to day activities of the child.
In conclusion, it is important for a parent to find a way they can compensate for the time they spend away from the child. A parent can come up with an everyday routine where they check up on the child to know what is really happening. This creates a bond between the two of them where the child knows by the end of the day they can confide in the parent. This can happen when the parent is tucking in the child to sleep or during reading a bed night story. A child will feel more bonded to the parent. It’s also necessary for a parent to show interest in knowing who the child hangs out with who the friends are. This can be done by maybe encouraging the child to plan a sleepover with the friends at home at least the parent will have an idea who the friends are.
Having open channels of communication between the child and the parents encourages the child to talk about what they feel free. This makes it easier for the parent to know what the child is going through. A parent can benefit from this as they validate the child’s emotions and will be able to tell the child the reason they are experiencing what they are experiencing. Children pick up how to behave by observing and copying others. This means that your behavior during a stressful or puzzling situation easily influences your child. You can influence your child to make good decisions by exhibiting the way you want them to behave. For example, if you’re stuck in traffic and running late for an important appointment and have your child in the car, practice managing your emotions and staying calm. A child is likely to pick this habit up and the same when put in such a situation. Overworking is a situation parents cannot avoid in the 21st century as we live in an error where maintaining our lifestyle is expensive and everyday needs are to be met. Both parents should come up with a routine where they monitor their children’s behavior and maximize the time they spend together.
