"Setting limits on your child is hard, but having a child without a framework is even harder."
These are the words of Larry Mitnaul, American psychiatrist.
To help parents create a healthy educational environment, this father of six revealed on TikTok on July 28, five mistakes not to make in education.
He explains the reasons for this in several short videos also shared on
TikTok
and Instagram during the summer, and relayed by the
Parents
site in an article on December 13.
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Let your child have a phone
The psychiatrist is without appeal, ideally, it would be better to keep the smartphone away from his child as long as possible.
The doctor does not specify the threshold from which the child could have access to a smartphone.
According to Larry Mitnaul, the tool is one of the biggest pollutants of the bond between the child and the other members of his family.
He adds: "In our modern society, when an argument breaks out, a child will go to his room and seek support on social networks, to confirm to him how much his mother or his brother are at fault", warns -it, which prevents the resolution of a conflict.
In addition, continues the psychiatrist, the telephone “steals” time, energy and curiosity from the child.
In video, what are the impacts of screens on children's brains?
Let him go to a slumber party
Here, the psychiatrist talks about groups of children of the same age to play or chat until late at night, he says in another video.
A fertile ground to disturb the children, according to him.
When a group of children get together for activities they are not used to, "it gives way to certain impulses that do not exist under the supervision of an adult", he warns.
To protect the relationships between the young people and the relationship between the parent and the child, the doctor recommends organizing these gatherings at another time of the day, and in the presence of a parent.
Install a TV in your bedroom
A television screen in the bedroom would, according to Larry Mitnaul, prevent the creation of a strong bond between the parent and the child.
"Our screen time must be shared with the family, it's a way of connecting and creating attachment, to allow the family to be united and strong throughout life", testifies-t he on video.
If the child's “fun” moments are spent only in his room, the doctor believes that the parent sends the following message: “to have fun, you must be away from me”.
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Moreover, and from what he sees in his practice, the psychiatrist recalls that TV is one of the primary causes of poor quality sleep in children.
He also denounces the lack of reliability of parental controls, which can give children access to unsuitable content.
Avoid household chores
“It is essential that the child has chores and responsibilities at home, insists Dr. Mitnaul.
At 2, 3, 4 years old, we can already encourage them to take part in certain tasks.”
This helps them feel included in the family, boosts their self-confidence, and trains them for future responsibilities, he says.
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Talking badly about the partner in front of the child
The psychiatrist's last advice?
Never speak negatively about your partner in front of your child, to teach him respect.
"To show him the example, we must protect our spouse from negative comments, whether he is present in the house or not," he advises.
This will also prevent the child from damaging the image he has of the family, he concludes.