Overprotective Parents
By JULIE LYDEN
Parents are there to guide children through life until they are at the point where they no longer need assistance. Helicopter parents, on the other hand, live their kids lives for them, hindering the kids ability to learn from experiences and hardships they encounter throughout life.
Helicopter parents are those who are too controlling and overprotective of their child/ren. These parents prevent their children from encountering any of life’s problems and make sure any possible difficulty or bump in the road is paved for them.
For example, a helicopter parent would prevent a child from climbing a tree instead of encouraging them to explore because of the potential harm. Although dangerous, parents should allow their kids to fall and get a bruise or two; they will learn to not do it again because it hurts.
D.H. Lawrence said, “‘How to begin to educate a child. First rule: leave him alone. Second rule: leave him alone. Third rule: leave him alone. That is the whole beginning.’”
According to Hanswijck, helicopter parents lead to underdevelopment of the brain, emotional backlash, low self esteem and confidence, aggression, etc. It is understandable that every parent wants the best for their kid/s, but by being overprotective, they are actually hurting their kids.
Hardships are the most essential tool for growth.
They should know how important it is to let their kid fall. They may get a bruise or scraped knee and elbow, but it’s in the child’s best interest. Imagine your kid wants to learn how to ride a bike. The helicopter parent doesn’t want the child to fall, so he/she steadies the bike. The parent feels great because the child learned how to ride a bike and didn’t get hurt. The parent continues to help their son/daughter ride that bike every day.
Fast forward: the child is 20 and ready to leave the house to set off on life’s journey. He/She doesn’t know how to do this without the parent.
According to the Child Mind Institute, ”Having obstacles to overcome is what helps children to build resilience, to develop coping skills to deal with things that are difficult.”
The beauty is in the journey, not always in the outcome. Parents need to allow children to experience the journey and get to the end without shortcuts or a path that’s already been paved smoothly. The feeling of doing something by oneself is what remains unforgettable and influential.
Problem solving is an overlooked skill that parents should not take away from their children!
Works Cited
Hanswijck, Laurence Van. "Helicopter parenting: the consequences." International School Parent, www.internationalschoolparent.com/articles/helicopter-parenting-the-consequences/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2020.
"What's wrong with helicopter parenting?" Child Mind Institute, www.google.com/amp/s/childmind.org/article/whats-wrong-with-helicopter-parenting/amp/.Accessed 4 Feb. 2020.