The term helicopter parenting refers to parents who indulge in the habit of over-parenting. These parents are generally accused of being too obsessed with their child’s safety, extracurricular activities, education and other aspects governing their child’s life. This term came into existence from the capability of the parents in hovering closely overhead, akin to what helicopters education do. Helicopter parents are within reach always and never seem in going away, irrespective of when others want them to. This kind of parenting too has its own share of merits and demerits.
How Helicopter parenting helps
Helicopter parents are involved in their little one’s lives, which may turn out in being a good thing. Maximum helicopter parents have the best intentions as well. They succeed in getting things done in their respective way. In fact, you can count on children brought up by helicopter parents in having their homework completed on time, scholarship applications complete and paperwork filled out. A good factor of such parenting style is that they are aware of knowing where their child is at all times, and this is indeed a vital safety consideration.
Besides, helicopter parents are aware of how their little one is performing in school or whom they are with. In fact, such parents who are supportive and involved across diverse areas produce children who possess a clear sense of self besides being more content with their lives.
The three positives of helicopter parenting is that parents and children can become best friends, children can learn and adopt from parents and their mistakes more effectively and above all parents always are aware of what is taking place on their child’s life.
Helicopter parenting and its ramifications
Parental guidance is one factor every kid, young adult and teenager requires at times, yet some students say excess guidance is likely to do more harm compared to good. The fruits of over-involvement of parents include higher levels of depression and anxiety among adult children.
When you do not give a child ample space to sort out things or situations on their own, they fail in learning to problem-solve well. As a result, they lack confidence in their own ability, which is likely to take a toll on their self-esteem. Besides, another problem of not having to struggle is that the young adult will never experience failure while developing an overwhelming fear concerning the failure and disappointing others.
Fear of failure and low self-confidence can lead to anxiety or depression.
Summary:
Parents always desire in protecting their child from the world’s dangers. Helicopter parenting like any other parenting style has its respective positives and negatives. For a certain family, helicopter parenting has a positive aspect, while it may be negative for the other.
