Do you speed over to  your child's school, or even college whenever something goes wrong?  Many parents today insert themselves into every detail of their children's lives, a phenomenon that's become known as 'helicopter parenting.'  In reality, this isn't actually helping kids grow up to be healthy and successful.  Parenting should be increasingly in the background as the child gets older.  If you do for your child for too long, then your child never learns to do for themselves.  And it's important to show children that you believe they are capable of handling situations themselves, but always put safety first. 
    It's natural for parents to want to safeguard their children.  I can imagine how hard it is to watch your kid fall down, but they need to fall down once in a while so that they can learn to pick themselves up.  We've always seen that kid who hurts themselves and expects their parent to rush to their aid, even when they're not even hurt.  When parents are constantly rushing to aid their kids, then they never have the learning experience of coping and recovering from a bad experience.  They end up floundered, not knowing what to do with their negative feelings.

My parents weren't really like this, but some of my friends are. When I moved out my dad said that it was one of the biggest compliments because it was telling him that he raised me the right way to be able to be on my own and take care of myself.

I remember kids who had parents like this. Mine weren't like that, they were only there when needed and while I was at school was not a time where they were needed. But I also remember parents that stand outside their kids classrooms about 15 minutes before its time to get out. I always thought those parents were crazy. They could wait out in the car their kids are in a safe environment.

dana said: I remember kids who had parents like this. Mine weren't like that, they were only there when needed and while I was at school was not a time where they were needed. But I also remember parents that stand outside their kids classrooms about 15 minutes before its time to get out. I always thought those parents were crazy. They could wait out in the car their kids are in a safe environment.

I remember those parents too. A few would get worried having their kids walk 3 feet to the car without them. But some would just get there early and instead of waiting in the car would wait there. My mom used to wait for me right infront of the school where the teacher was and I'd just run off to her car everytime the bell rang. It's really pointless to sit and wait infront of the class.

I remember when i was younger, these type of parents bugged me, because mine weren't like that at all! In elementary school, it can benefit the kids, but you gradually have to step back and let the kids go through hardships themselves so they can mature.  But I remember when I was in cheerleading, the parents would stick around at practice to peek in the windows and watch the cheers.  It use to make me mad because then their kids would get extra help and it was so ridiculous.  There's things that kids should go through themselves, and if they fail then it will be okay, not the end of the world for both the kid and the parent!

About 4 years ago I used to take a bus from my high school to my sisters elementary school. That was the bus stop, and my sister would get out about 15 minutes after I arrive and my mother will be right in the parking lot waiting for us. There were many of these "helicopter parents" who would wait for thier kids outside their class room door. I remember one parent who would bring her son lunch and waits every day and hand it to him as soon as he steps out, he tells her about his day as their walking and hands over his report card and test grades each time. I would always over hear them because it seems like they have an interesting life. They would randomly spend the weekends in Cabo San lucas mexico, they had a crazy aunt lucy who buys a new dog it seems every month. I remember him saying "thats auntie lucy's 16th dog!" their dad would also buy a different car every few months too and she would just tell 6 year old interesting things. well one day he handed her his report card and I guess he got an F. She marched into the teachers room, and being the nosy person I was, I walked in after her and helped my sister out with her coat so I could listen, she completely told off the teacher about how her son doesn't deserve an F and just kept yelling. The teacher tried explaining to her that her son never does his homework and left his test blank twice, but she wouldn't hear of it she just kept yelling! I think parents like this are a tad bit too loco. I dont know about you but my mom would yell at me for the F not my teacher.

I wonder if the kids get tired of their parents being in every part of their lives, or if they love it.  These helicopter parents don't just stop at elementary school, they continue it all throughout college and probably even in jobs.  Some companies are even making packets for parents, informing them about the company.  I personally like being independent and only having to go to my parents when I really need their advice on something. 

animee said: About 4 years ago I used to take a bus from my high school to my sisters elementary school. That was the bus stop, and my sister would get out about 15 minutes after I arrive and my mother will be right in the parking lot waiting for us. There were many of these "helicopter parents" who would wait for thier kids outside their class room door. I remember one parent who would bring her son lunch and waits every day and hand it to him as soon as he steps out, he tells her about his day as their walking and hands over his report card and test grades each time. I would always over hear them because it seems like they have an interesting life. They would randomly spend the weekends in Cabo San lucas mexico, they had a crazy aunt lucy who buys a new dog it seems every month. I remember him saying "thats auntie lucy's 16th dog!" their dad would also buy a different car every few months too and she would just tell 6 year old interesting things. well one day he handed her his report card and I guess he got an F. She marched into the teachers room, and being the nosy person I was, I walked in after her and helped my sister out with her coat so I could listen, she completely told off the teacher about how her son doesn't deserve an F and just kept yelling. The teacher tried explaining to her that her son never does his homework and left his test blank twice, but she wouldn't hear of it she just kept yelling! I think parents like this are a tad bit too loco. I dont know about you but my mom would yell at me for the F not my teacher.

After graduating high school I became friends with my old elementary school vice principal. He's still young I think around 33, well he was my neighbor and we would talk all the time. He would tell me crazy stories that would happen to him about these helicopter parents. One parent who always waited for her kid outside of the classroom got so worried that he wasn't in the class and went to go yell at him and the principal for not keeping an eye on him and that the teacher should be by his side and not let him trail off alone and just stuff like that, the kid was putting away the volley ball thing that they used for PE he was a PE tutor and a few other students but she still went crazy. Another time a father came in and ordered his dauughters grade be changed to an A because she doesn't deserve a C, she worked hard and she deserves an A according to him. He kept yelling and screaming and disprespecting the teacher and the whole school that finally the teacher agreed and just gave her the A. I think parents like that are so messed up. It was interesting to here these stories though, however I dont think these kids will get anywhere in life with parents that over protective.

The kids may get somewhere in life, but only with the help of their parents!  I really do give myself more credit than some of my fellow peers with helicopter parents.  Because they get extra help, its like they cheated in life haha.  That may sound mean, but for someone who actually earned that A, seeing a girl who got an A because her parents just doesn't sound credible to me!

The teacher could lose their license for doing that. Recently on the news a teacher lost his job and his degree because he changed a students grade from an F to a B in one day. He wanted the student to play football so he cheated him and now he lost his job. Not only that but the school now has a bad reputation and he's all over the media. I would be embarassed and ashamed if I was him.