On the other hand, Williams says, parents are often the best experts on their own children. The North Carolina study doesn't show parental attitudes caused the children's problems, Schanberg emphasizes, only that parents who were overprotective tended to have children with problems. Whether the parent actually stops the child from going downhill makes a difference. Another study showed, for example, that the severity of a disease only accounts for about 30 percent of the pain that's felt, Schanberg says. What to Do As much as you can, educate yourself about your child's illnesses, Anthony advises.
Many parents are overprotective from ignorance.
For example, a parent of a child with arthritis may forbid soccer, assuming sports are harmful. In fact, sports help a child become healthier. For more information on children and arthritis, try the Arthritis Foundation . And you can learn more about kids and asthma at the Children's Medical Center of the University of Virginia . You can also read more about kids and illnesses at HealthScout .