Helicopter Parent
We’ve all heard that term before.
We know what it means. We see it frequently. In others… Right?
Maybe it’s because I have daughters. Maybe because what I do for a living is help people avoid making mistakes. Maybe these are just excuses I’m telling myself.
But sometimes I believe I “over” parent.
Just saying the word “overprotective” makes me cringe a little because I never wanted to shelter or hold back my kids from learning important life lessons.
Yet, when I see my kids doings something wrong or heading towards failure, I instinctively correct them. I change their course. I helped them avoid failure.
It could be how and where they ride their bikes. How they interact with friends. Prepare a snack. What they wear to school. What they take to school. The list goes on and on and on.
I feel like I’m always in this state of correcting them.
Have I taken it too far?
When do we as parents cross the line to helicopter status?
I know my role as parent is to teach them, guide them, and correct them. But I also know that part of teaching is letting them fail so they can learn and grow from it.
How do we choose when and where we allow them to fail?
I aim to be aware of this going forward. To hopefully catch myself before I “overprotect” them.
I’d love to hear what others think about this.
As always, thanks for reading and sharing.
Mike Turner
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