It's something we hear all the time –"helicopter parent." While it's mostly used for parents of young adults who just can’t seem to let go already, the traits are seen in parents of little kids as well. I took a music class with my daughter last winter, one of those Mommy and Me type things with lame songs and cutesy dances that little kids just love and parents typically grit their teeth through.
I actually met some cool parents in that class, what with the tooth-gritting factor, but then there was Her. She was nice enough, but would make condescending suggestions to the teacher about how she should run the class to give the kids "a more free-form, creative experience" and continue to sing along and dance enthusiastically well after her daughter had lost interest. Mind you, I am sure she disapproved of me as well as my daughter's favorite use of class time was to run around banging on a drum and shrieking, but still.
I'm sure we've all run into our own versions anytime we've gotten our kids into any sort of group situation. Maybe the heliparent might even be you. I know with my own unpleasant control-freak tendencies, I have to fight with myself to just let her be and do things her own way, even if there are bumps, bruises, or a few precious "enrichment opportunities" lost along the way.
I found this article from the Daily Telegraph in the UK rather funny, for that reason; instead of asking if you are a helicopter parent, it asks what type you are, because let's face it, we all have a little helicopter in us. I'm hoping to grow up to be a traffic helicopter, personally….
Illustration by Steve Brodner for Duke Magazine
