Some parents think that love means
revolving their lives around their children. They are helicopter parents. They
hover over and then rescue their children whenever trouble arises. They’re
forever running lunches, permission slips, band instruments, and homework
assignments to school. They’re always pulling their children out of
jams. Not a day goes by when they’re not protecting little junior from
something —usually from a
growing experience —he needs or
deserves. As soon as their children send up an SOS flare, helicopter parents,
who are ready hovering nearby, swoop in and shield the children from teachers,
playmates, and other elements that appear hostile. While today these “loving” parents may feel they are easing their
children’s path into adulthood, tomorrow the same children will be leaving
home and wasting the first eighteen months of their adult life flunking out of
college or meandering about “getting their heads together.” Such children are unequipped for the
challenges of life. Their significant learning opportunities were stolen from
them in the name of love.
Helicopter parents fail to prepare their
kids to meet that kind of world.
The irony is that helicopter parents are
often viewed by others as model parents.
Manish Sharma
Parenting Coach
