Parenting myths have been around for generations: perpetuated by people who want to believe what they want to believe. Here are seven of the most common myths about parenting:
1. Babies need a lot of sleep.
This myth is based on the idea that babies need a lot of sleep in order to grow and develop properly. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies get at least 12 hours of sleep a day, but up to 16 hours if they are healthy and happy.
2. Spanking is always effective.
Research now shows that spanking can be harmful to children: both physically and emotionally. It can cause mental health problems, such as depression, and can lead to physical punishment in later years.
3. Discipline is only necessary when children are misbehaving.
Discipline is important in early childhood. It is not only necessary when children are acting out but also necessary when children are behaving normally.
4. Putting a child in time-out is always effective.
Time-out rarely works as intended and can often be harmful. It can cause children to become aggressive and defiant and make them feel upset and abandoned.
5. It is necessary to reward children for good behavior.
Rewards are not always necessary or helpful. In fact, research shows that children can become attached to rewards and become overwhelmed when rewards are given frequently.
6. It is necessary to spend a lot of time with children.
Spending too much time with children can be harmful. Too much exposure to children can lead to over-sensitivity and can stunt their development.
7. Discipline should always be physical.
Physical discipline should only be used as a last resort and should be used only when other methods, such as verbal discipline, have failed.
