A new term is trending in the parenting circle known as hurried child syndrome. Hurried child syndrome is a term coined by Dr. David Elkind in his book The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon. In the book he has described a solution where children are pressured to take on roles, responsibilities, or behaviors that are more appropriate for older children and adults. It usually happens when parents, guardians, or educators pressure children to excel in every field, such as academics, extracurricular activities, and social activities and intentions when they should be enjoying their childhood playing outside, relaxing, and learning.
Signs of hurried child syndrome :
Overscheduling
If you are overscheduling your children’s day with extracurricular programs, one class after another, and pressurizing them to take part in all activities and balance their day, leaving them no time to enjoy themselves or play outside.
Keep high expectations
Kids are supposed to learn and grow at a normal pace, but keeping high expectations can make them feel pressure and force them to perform beyond their level, either in academics, sports, social activities, or interactions.
The pressure of success
If you keep pushing your kids to be perfect and be ideal role models, it can make them feel pressured, stressed, and overwhelmed, and if they fail to do so, they may lose their innocence and confidence.
How hurried child syndrome can lead to anxiety and depression?
When you start keeping high expectations, keep pushing your child, overschedule their entire day, and force them to excel in every platform, it can be very overwhelming and tiring for a child; they will start pushing themselves to an extent where they may exploit their mental health. Here’s how hurried child syndrome can lead to anxiety and depression :
Excessive pressure
When you constantly push your child to excel in every field, like academics, sports, or extracurricular activities, they may feel overwhelmed and pressured to meet the high expectations. It can make them stressed from fear of failure or disappointing their parents. They may be dealing with anxiety about not being successful enough or becoming their perfect child.
Exposure to adult issues
children who face constant fights and toxicity in their own houses—begins to start aging prematurely; they believe they are the reason for the toxicity and are constantly under emotional distress and anxiety. They start worrying and fearing for their own parents, which leads to anxiety and depression.
Unmatched Expectations
When parents start to keep unmatched expectations, the kids start putting pressure on themselves, and they come out of their comfort zone to prove themselves and start challenging their capabilities; it can lead to burnout, and the fear of failing can lead to anxiety and depression.
How can parents avoid hurried child syndrome?
Set realistic expectations
don’t put all your expectations and hopes on your child; it can make them feel under pressure and stress.
Show love and care
rather than sending them 10 different classes and throwing them into extracurricular activities, spend time with them and shower your love and care so that your child knows you are here for them.
Be supportive
rather than forcing, pressurizing them, or keeping high expectations, create a supportive environment so that they feel safe around you and can open up to you.
