Helicopter parenting is a hot topic of debate. The term is used to describe today’s cultural tendency to parent with a keen eye towards protecting our children from any and all potential sources of harm, risk and/or disappointment.
Some argue that, as parents, we are hovering too much over our children — over-parenting if you will — ultimately stifling their development and hindering their ability to become properly self-sufficient. In this sense, the term ‘helicopter parent’ is usually used pejoratively. It’s meant to suggest that there there is such a thing as too much protection, too much parental control, too much supervision and involvement.
Here is an article I wrote for the Boston Globe about my take on this issue. Take a read, then come back here to share your feedback!
The other issue I hear a lot about is that modern parents are too permissive with their kids. Supposedly, we let them get away with too much, we don’t set proper boundaries for them; we are too much their friends, not enough their parents.
I don’t know about you, but this sounds like the opposite of over-parenting to me!
So which is it? What do you think is going on with modern parenting today? Do we do too much helicoptering and “micro-management”? Or has parenting become too permissive?
Or is it both? Or neither?
Share your opinions and thoughts here!
