You can have some say in the music they listen to and the movies they watch, but try not to control every detail of your child’s life. It will only end up backfiring on you.

2.    Over-praising

Your kids should be confident, but they should also have their feet firmly planted in reality. Praising your child for things he doesn’t do well is more damaging than you may think. If you want your kid to have a good sense of his true strengths and weaknesses, be honest about them.

When you over-praise, you run the risk of raising a megalomaniac.

3.    Practicing double standards

“Do as I say, not as I do.” If this is your parenting philosophy, it’s time for a change. As much as you tell your child to do something, if she sees you contradict your direction, she’ll follow. Most people learn better by example. Your kids are no different.

This rule applies to everything, from eating right to avoiding addictive substances. Teens are more likely to avoid problems like substance abuse if they see their parents setting a good example. They’re also more likely to eat their broccoli if they see you doing the same. Try to be the person you want your child to become and everything should turn out just fine.

4.    Hiding your own mistakes

Most of us hate admitting when we’re wrong. It’s especially difficult to admit to our children. We want them to see us as good examples, and we want them to respect our decision-making skills. But when you shield all your mistakes from your kids, it could have the opposite effect.

As your children get older, they’re going to realize you’re not perfect. It’s always better to be honest about your shortcomings, so they know they can trust you. This is another case where you’ll be leading by example. If you want your kids to admit their own mistakes and learn from them, show them how by telling them about yours.

5.    Giving too freely

It’s tough to say no when they look up at you with those big, puppy dog eyes. But you have to strike a balance between making them happy and making them spoiled. If your kids always get what they want, they won’t be able to appreciate everything they have.

Parenting may not come with a handbook, but we’re probably better off that way. It’s important to feel your way through the process and do what you feel is right for your kids.

Which of these parenting behaviors do you think are most damaging?