Are YOU raising a snowflake child? Take our quiz to learn key mistakes -and how to boost resilience this summer

STEPPING in to sort out playground squabbles, caving in to every demand, or being the pushy parent at a party – we’ve all witnessed the overprotective mum or dad in action. But according to former Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, “anxious parenting” is creating a generation of jittery kids who are “unequipped to cope with the demands of adult life”. Are you in danger of raising a snowflake? Take our quiz and find out Credit: Getty Ex-Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said ‘anxious parenting’ is creating a generation who won’t be able to ‘cope with adult life’ Credit: Alamy Child and educational psychologist Dr Emily Crosby believes parents need to strike the right balance when it comes to raising their little ones. “It’s fantastic that we’re now much better at recognising and validating children’s emotions,” she explains. “However, we also need to teach them how to navigate challenges for themselves. “If we constantly step in and do it for them, that can be just as damaging as dismissing their feelings altogether.” So, are you in danger of raising a snowflake? Take Dr Emily’s quiz to find out… Your child falls over in the playground. How do you handle it? A) Sprint over to them like your life depends on it, shouting for the first aid kit. B) Check they’re OK, then encourage them to carry on playing. C) Wait to see if they actually need your help before intervening. Your little one says they ‘hate’ their healthy dinner. What’s your next step? A) Quickly whip up some nuggets instead. They can’t go hungry. B) Encourage them to try a few more bites of their veg, explaining why it’s good for them. C) Calmly remind them that this is their only dinner – take or leave it. At a party, your child fails to win big on pass the parcel. Do you… A) Kick off. No child should be excluded from getting a prize these days. B) Tell them it’s disappointing, but a part of life, unfortunately. C) Shrug it off – it’s a valuable lesson that will prepare them for the challenges of adulthood. Do you stand firm when your child has a meltdown over their iPad curfew? Or give in? Credit: Getty Your child has a meltdown after you impose an iPad ban after 9pm. You… A) Give in immediately. What harm can a few pre-bedtime YouTube videos do? B) Meet them halfway by agreeing to review the situation in a week’s time. C) Stand firm, locking the device in a cupboard overnight. They’ll soon get over it. How often do you let your child sit still and just be bored? A) Never. Boredom is the enemy – who knows what they could get up to? B) Occasionally, but you usually end up suggesting activities. C) Quite often. Boredom builds imagination and never did you any harm. Your kid gets into an argument with a friend. What do you do? A) Immediately message the other parent and try to nip it in the bud. B) Encourage the children to sort it out themselves first. C) Try not to get involved in their squabble unless it’s serious. Do you give into your kids’ food demands when they hate their healthy dinner? Credit: Getty Your little one comes home from school complaining their teacher is ‘mean’. Do you… A) Automatically side with your child. You stick up for them no matter what. B) Listen carefully before deciding what really happened. C) Roll your eyes. You suspect the teacher probably just asked them to do a bit of work. How often do you tidy up after your kids? A) Constantly – it’s just quicker to get it done yourself. B) You encourage them to help, but find you take on most of the burden. C) Rarely. They’re perfectly capable of finding the laundry basket themselves. Is it easier to tidy up after your child or are they perfectly capable? Credit: Getty Your child wants to quit an activity after one difficult session. What do you do? A) Let them stop immediately. If they’re not happy, what’s the point? B) Encourage them to give it a few more weeks, as one setback shouldn’t be the end. C) Explain that nobody becomes Beyoncé after one rehearsal. There’s a kids’ club at the holiday resort you’re staying at, but your child refuses to join in. You… A) Agree they can spend all their time with you, even though you’re desperate for downtime. B) Suggest they try it once, praying they’ll end up loving it. C) Tell them if they don’t go, they will be on the first plane back home. THE RESULTS... MOSTLY As: Captain Bubble Wrap Wanting to protect children is natural, but constantly rescuing them can make it harder for them to build resilience and independence – skills that are often lacking in the younger generation. Sometimes the best parenting move is to take a small step back, even if every fibre of your being wants to protect them. It is normal for children to become upset when you take away something they want, or when you impose boundaries, but remind yourself that this is just a reaction and it will not last forever. MOSTLY Bs: The Balanced Parent CONGRATULATIONS, you’ve found the parenting sweet spot.You’re supportive without hovering, protective without panicking, and you understand that children occasionally need to experience disappointment, boredom and failure in order to grow. Ultimately, mums and dads need to get comfortable with their children being uncomfortable. Modern parents can struggle with this, but your child will be learning resilience while feeling secure all at once. At the same time, you will feel a sense of pride and achievement in watching your child overcome life’s day-to-day obstacles. MOSTLY Cs: Old-School Survivor YOU believe children should toughen up, get muddy and work things out for themselves. Other parents might find your approach harsh, but if a bit of tough love worked for you as a kid, why not pass that down to the next generation? Your child already knows how to cope with certain setbacks, which means they are better placed to deal with those real-world challenges that come around all too quickly. Just remember: emotional support matters too. Not every problem can be solved with: “You’re fine, get on with it.” Follow Dr Emily at instagram.com/doctoremilyep