To ask what you think is meant by 'overprotective?'

[Smugglers]

I had mental health problems at 18 - long story as to the cause - but my mum one day thought this was a result of her having been overprotective as a parent. I wish I'd questioned her more on what exactly she meant by this now - as she seemed to see this as the root cause of all my difficulties.

Anyway , when I was on holiday aged 13 my mum coerced me harshly into a friendship with another kid at the hotel - "your father and I want you to make friends". This frankly made me feel shit. When I mentioned this to my Dad year later - he said she was trying to protect me. I was surprised as I thought it's not 'protecting' a child surely if you push them into a relationship they don't want? I would say quite the opposite - surely it's exposing them to a bad situation? Again I didn't question this at the time but has anyone got any thoughts on this?

*@JustAnotherManicNameChange
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What you've said resonates so much. See also forcing you to mix with children you've already said you dislike !!

I see my post was removed. But i stand by my words - it's hit and miss. Not every parental mistake is abuse and it's not healthy to dwell on such negativity.
And i am sure - in the next ten years it will be your kids who will be pissy that you checked their phones or didn't allow social media.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread - I'm glad I started it and feel it's been beneficial to me - so thank you.

I can sort of understand the viewpoint of people saying "ah but your mum was only trying to encourage you to make a friend on holiday - what's the big deal?' - I really can, however she really coerced next in a very harsh way to 'make a friend' - bit hard to get the exact tone across - really was a 'you had to be there' moment. She also made comments at the time calling me 'selfish' and 'no wonder you haven't got any friends' - these comments are not 'nurturing' by any stretch of the imagination and she sounds more like a bitchy schoolgirl not a grown adult !!

And one last thing - just giving my honest view on this - the way my mum harshly coerced me towards that girl - tbh I don't believe any self respecting 13 yr old would want to mix socially after that - it is enough to make anyone feel down

I've been looking at this thread recently and the more I think about it the more pleased I am I started it. I feel like I've had very valuable advice and info in this thread so thanks all who contributed