Overprotective parenting can stop children developing real self belief. According to London based therapist Kevin George, two parental struggles drive this: difficulty allowing independence, and shame that prevents parents acknowledging their own flaws when a child misbehaves. Confidence is built biologically when a person overcomes a challenge, as stress signals influence gene expression and neural connections adapt. Affirmations cannot replace this process. Children denied predictable, controllable stress can remain psychologically “frozen” into adulthood. Kevin recommends structured activities such as sport, led by facilitators who push children, for both children and adults who recognise this pattern.