Helicopter Parenting Revisited

Helicopter Parenting Revisited

By Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.

When you were growing up, did it feel like your parents kept such a close watch over you that it was hard to breathe? Have you considered that now, as the parents of teens, perhaps you’re doing the same thing? A term coined not so long ago, ‘Helicopter Parents’ describes those who hover, are rarely out of reach and pay far too close attention to their children’s experiences.

Adolescence, with its hormonal changes and peer pressure, can be a challenging stage. But if you’re crowding your kids and getting rid of obstacles that stand in their way, now’s the time for you to start backing off. You may feel ambivalent, especially if they seem stressed or fragile. But those sorts of moods are all part of the package labeled the teen years. And learning how to let go is really in the best interests of everyone. What follows are some practical tips as you shift responsibility from your shoulders to where it now belongs: