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Are You an Over-Protective Parent?

You have  surely   certainly  heard the term “helicopter parent”  employed to refer to parents who “hover” over their children.  Now, educators have begun to use the phrase “velcro parent” to  allude  to parents who “attach” themselves to their offspring .

Velcro parents, educators  inform us, are far  more harmful  than helicopter parents because they are so involved in the lives of their  teen children that they will not  permit   them to develop maturity  and independence at anything like a normal  speed . 

 Do you think you are a velcro parent ?  Here is how you can tell .

1.  Have you ever told a coach that your  child should be  getting more playing time  or playing another position?  Have you had a similar conversation with a band conductor, choir director, drama coach, debate coach, etc.?

2.  Have you ever had a discussion with an employer you thought was treating your child harshly or unfairly?

3.  Have you  ever actually done  (not just  helped  with) your child’s homework  assignments  or  projects ?

4.  Did you ever  complete a paper or online college application for a son or daughter?  Write his or her  university application  essay?

5.  If you are present when an authority figure asks your  teenage  son or daughter  a question, might you answer it?

6.  All parents want input into their childrens’ college choices,  while others  want to actually make the  decision .  Are you one of the latter?

7.   Will you only pay for college if your child majors in a field of which you approve ?

 Almost all parents will have one “yes” answer .  Two “yes” answers  probably puts   you in the helicopter parent category.   In excess of   two affirmative  responses  leaves  very little  doubt that you are a velcro parent.

Parenting is a difficult undertaking for which most of us  get   minimum training.   Every parent makes mistakes .   The important thing is to continue to work as hard as possible to be the best possible parent.