What are the early warning signs of soon-to-be Helicopter Parents?
It’s easy to shake your head at a hovering Parent who does too much for their college-age child. These patterns didn’t develop overnight however. Where do we draw the line? Dipping french fries in ketchup for your Toddler? Laying out school clothes for your 8th grader?
What are examples of parents doing too much?
Mom and dad not leaving the kid alone for the first 6 yrs of life. How many times have I seen a mom and dad on their very first date night alone… when they have a 5 yr old.
Baby proof everything!! Forget teaching the Toddler not to touch.. it is the worlds responsibility to be babyproofed.
Never more than 2 feet from child…. moms who walk directly behind kiddo on all playground equipment.
Believe crying to be psychologically harmful and rarely ever do time outs because johnny gets upset. (Right.. a 3 minute sit in a corner will have him doing primal scream therapy at 30)
Johnny is a ‘perfect angel’. If he ever hits another child he must have been provoked or had good reason. The other child must apologize but never johnny.
All educational toys all time. On the TV? Nothing but baby einstein. On the Radio? Nothing but sing-a-long CD’s.
Gradeschoolers:
Mom and dad actually do difficult projects for child to insure good grades.
Getting involved in all disputes between child and childs friends.
Teacher conferences every 2 weeks!! Every time a test is failed, or homework is marked down for being late. Parent will actually care more about a arbritrary grade than the childs competence and will work hard to make teacher accept late work and argue every grade for child.
Inflating childs ego by constantly rewarding kiddo for expected behavior. Rewards now mean nothing as they get them for everything. (Think of those ‘everyone gets a ribbon’ events)
Child loses toy? Replace it! Child talks back? Just defending herself.. you provoked her! Child gets brade grade? School failed her! Child teases other kids? Others need to toughen up, everyone is teased! Child gets teased? WW3, Teacher conference and talking with principal to make plan of action!
Parents who do all chores for kids, yet still give kid an outrageous allowance for all their great help around house.
