Are You a Helicopter Parent?
We all love our kids and want only the best for them. We cheer them on at their athletic events, help them with their homework, and give them kudos for all their accomplishments, even the small ones. It's Parenting 101, right? Be there for your kids and celebrate their successes — in doing so, you raise children with great self-esteem and the ability to tackle life's toughest challenges.
Seems simple enough, but there are a lot of us who don't get it quite right. Fortunately, a little imperfection in our parenting skills is usually alright, but there are a few parents who really like being in the driver's seat…so much so, that their children may have a hard time actually learning how to drive — on the road of life, that is.
Welcome to the era of helicopter parenting.
Taking it a step further
Some people argue that you can't love your kids too much, but it is possible to take parental involvement too far. It's easy to do, too. From the moment our kids step foot into Kindergarten, we're encouraged to help with homework, volunteer on committees and field trips, provide goodies for parties, and attend celebrations and events all year long to recognize our kids and their accomplishments. With all the focus on achievement, it seems only natural that we would continue in that role for a few years until our kids can take the reins themselves.
Preferably, it might be somewhere around middle school when we stop helping out with artwork o...
Author: Amy Ambler
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