𝐈𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞

There is a delicate balance between caring for your loved ones and smothering them with overprotection. Can excessive care and protection cross the line into abuse? Imagine a child, whose mother is overly protective. Initially, it appears heartwarming, but it soon becomes stifling. The child’s life is tightly controlled by their mother, who constantly scrutinizes their actions and decisions. This overbearing behaviour stifles the child’s independence and autonomy. True caring involves nurturing someone's well-being, but excessive control crosses a dangerous line, transforming support into domination.

Think of it like a plant. You water it, you give it sunlight, and you make sure it's happy and healthy. But if you're watering it so much that the soil is waterlogged and the leaves are turning yellow from too much sun, well, you're killing it with kindness.

Overindulging in care and protection can be detrimental, causing harm instead of providing benefit. This can manifest in various ways, such as excessive monitoring of a loved one's phone, invading their privacy under the pretence of keeping them safe, making decisions for them without their input, isolating them from friends and family, or creating entire dependency on the caregiver. These actions can ultimately stifle their growth, well-being, and independence.

Excessive care, even when it comes from a place of love, can be a form of abuse. Abuse is not just physical; it can be emotional, psychological, and even financial. Providing excessive care can check all these boxes. The key is to strike a balance between caring for someone and controlling them. Caring for someone should involve supporting and empowering them, allowing them to grow and learn from their mistakes. Love should empower, not control.