In the fictional stories that every child has read during their childhood, there are numerous examples of parents incorrectly educating their children.
Being a parent is perhaps one of the most challenging jobs in life, and no one can guarantee that they have never made mistakes in the process of raising their children. There are many behaviors and familiar phrases of parents, especially from the previous generation, that are harmful but widespread. Even in the dreamy fairy tales, this is not an exception. Upon analysis, we can see many toxic moms and dads appearing in children's stories that everyone has read when they were little.
Mocking a child's dreams (The story of The Little Mermaid)
Ariel has a dream: she wants to walk on land. However, instead of supporting his daughter, her father mocks this idea and dismisses it. In the end, we all remember the tragic ending that the beautiful mermaid had to endure.
Having dreams as a child is entirely natural and worthy of encouragement. However, many parents see it as meaningless or unrealistic thoughts. Such indifference not only reduces the child's trust in adults but can also make the child lack confidence.
Instead of disregarding and treating a child's words as mere childish talk, Ariel's father should have had a conversation with his daughter. He could have warned her about potential dangers if she went to the mainland and carefully considered her wish.
Excessive Care for Children (Thumbelina's Tale)
Thumbelina's frog mother took care of her beloved son excessively to the point of even choosing a wife for him when he grew up. Due to this overprotection, Thumbelina became a helpless adult, unable to do anything on her own and unable to keep her bride.
In real life, children raised with such excessive care and protection become individuals who cannot be independent. Frog Mom should have let her son fail and face the challenges of life on his own. If Thumbelina wanted to get married, she should have sought a future wife on her own. Parents should not be afraid to let their children make mistakes. Failure helps them learn and find ways to achieve their goals.
Underestimating the Child (Cinderella's Tale)
The relationship between the stepmother and Cinderella is a perfect illustration of adults underestimating children. No matter how diligent her own stepdaughter is, the stepmother always finds something to complain about. The stepmother's treatment of her older sister influences her daughters, contributing to them becoming excessively self-centered.
Certainly, children may find it challenging to impress parents with their limited knowledge and skills. If the wicked stepmother had shown appreciation and could praise Cinderella without demeaning her character and abilities, the fairy tale might have had a different ending. For example, the whole family would move to the castle and live happily together. In real life, of course, we don't need to applaud every time a child ties their shoelaces, but paying attention to that and praising the child is an important thing to do.
Disregarding Personal Opinions (The Tale of King Muddlehead)
Many kings in fairy tales tend to disregard their daughters' personal thoughts. Princesses are often forced into marriage to consolidate the kingdom's power, for political purposes, or even without a justifiable reason. Fortunately, in fairy tales, things are often resolved beautifully thanks to some kind of magic.
But we don't live in a fairy tale, and ignoring a child's opinion often leads to negative consequences. Children may become distant from their parents or never learn how to establish and protect their boundaries and interests.
Remember that a king is first a father, and a grown-up daughter is an individual with her own perspective that needs to be listened to. And this should apply not only to princesses in fairy tales.
Placing Excessive Responsibility on a Child (The Tale of Little Red Riding Hood)
If we momentarily forget that this is a fairy tale and look at Little Red Riding Hood's story through the eyes of an adult, some details will truly surprise you. Why could the girl's parents send their little daughter into the forest alone when it's clearly a dangerous place full of lurking threats? In real life, some parents may also place inappropriate responsibilities on their children's shoulders. This forces children to grow up too soon when they are not ready. This approach not only leads to situations that children cannot handle but also easily gives rise to psychological issues.
In reality, some parents may also place inappropriate responsibilities on their children's shoulders. This forces children to grow up too soon when they are not ready. This approach not only leads to situations that children cannot handle but also easily gives rise to psychological issues.
Encouraging a child to do household chores is a good idea. However, letting a small child go far away alone is definitely wrong. In fact, in the story, the mother could have chosen to go with her daughter to visit her grandmother.
Ignoring a child can be more dangerous and emotionally damaging than excessive control. In this fairy tale, the main character climbed onto the roof, terrifying his parents. When he told them about his new friend, the parents completely ignored him.
This example is not too far-fetched from real life. If you don't pay attention to your child and are always busy with other things, telling them that you don't have time for them, one day, you might truly 'lose' your child.
This example is not too far-fetched from real life. If you don't pay attention to your child and are always busy with other things, telling them that you don't have time for them, one day, you might truly 'lose' your child.
Parents should pay attention, be attentive to their children. Listen to your child more often, especially when they are trying to share something with you.