“Helicopter parent” isn't really a new term. It has been there for more than a decade. Helicopter parents have been reported to be a widespread problem in a country like the US. For those who are still not familiar with the term, “helicopter parents” refers to those married couples who are over-involved in their children's lives. They hover over or meddle with their children's affairs even when they become graduates and enter the workforce. Parents being protective and zealous about their children won't be considered a crime really, but when they overstep their interference limits, they can become helicopter parents in the worst sense of the term. Are you guilty of being a helicopter parent too? Read these signs and admit it, otherwise, you may be doing more harm than good to your child.
Help me, mom!
Is your child always calling you for help for every little thing? Is he or she totally dependent on you for every major or minor decision in his or her life? For instance, your child will ask for your approval and permission before even choosing a friend! If your child is leaning on you for more than what is necessary, you are certainly being a helicopter parent. Encourage your child to make independent decisions once in a while.
Fighting with teachers
Do you constantly keep in touch with your child's school teachers and demand a day-to-day update? Being in touch with your child's teachers is a good thing, unless you are heckling them for every issue. For instance, if your child gets poor marks on his or her exam, do you fight with the teachers over his or her grades? If yes, you are quite meddlesome.
Constant companion
Do you accompany your child to every little occasion? Do you even follow him or her when they are hanging out with friends? Even when your child is in high school? Are you also ready to be part of your child's field trips? This is definitely a sign that you are a hovering-over helicopter parent.
Fighting your kid's battles
Are you being your child's spokesperson all the time? Do you always find yourself answering on his or her behalf? In fact, you are always fighting your child's battles. For instance, if your child has a fight with his or her friend, you are likely to butt in and try to settle the matter yourself.
Doing homework
That's another revealing sign. You would try to manage your child's workload – right from doing his or her homework to choreographing his or her dance shows. In other words, you would like to 'help' your child with all the projects – but it's not helping, you are just taking over his or her life. And you are preventing them from realising their true potential.
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