The Helicopter Parent's Reading List
Six classic children's books that get too close for comfort.
by Lynn Harris
January 13, 2009
Are you a hovering, indulgent, boundary-free moms or dad? Perhaps you know one? Here's the essential bedtime reading list for helicopter parents. Think of these kids' books as flight manuals. — Lynn Harris
1. SOMEDAY by Alison McGhee
A mother's dreams for her daughter, nicely written and illustrated; of no interest whatsoever to children. "Someday, a long time from now, your own hair will glow silver in the sun. And when that day comes, you will remember me." Right? RIGHT?!
2. KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO by Mo Willems
Hey, we all love the Knuff (not to mention MoWill). But a dead-of-night swap by two wiped-out parents when Trixie and her friend realize they have each other's Bunny? Boundaries, people. "Trixie's daddy tried to explain what '2.30 a.m.' means." Yeah? Try harder. (Seriously. Did the pigeon get to drive the bus?)
3. GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU by Sam McBratney
Poor Little Nutbrown Hare is just trying to tell Big Nutbrown Hare how much he loves him. But creepy competitive dad, the kind who would deliberately beat his kid at Candyland, keeps one-upping LNH by describing his own love as bigger still — even after the little guy, defenseless, is asleep (and no doubt dreaming of his own worthlessness). Let it go, Big Nutbrown Hare, let it go.
©2009 Babble
About the Author
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Lynn Harris is an award-winning journalist, author of the comic novel Death By Chick Lit, and co-creator of the venerable website BreakupGirl.net. She and her husband live in Brooklyn with their toddler, Bess, and baby, Sam, who are polishing up their Vaudeville act.
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