I was a helicopter parent and do not regret it. My son died of a accidental gunshot wound through his eye at the age of 27. We were very close. He was a successful adult with an awesome career and engaged to a wonderful woman. Yes he depended on us a lot but was making great choices in his own life and was gradually becoming more independant.

I am a parent of 3 children, ages 7, 9, and 11. When they were babies people used to say that they were too attached to me because they had never had babysitters (except a very few times with grandma) and wouldn’t willingly go to others who wanted to hold them. I guess I was a helicopter parent then. But as they have grown older, each has become progressively more independent. Now I can trust them to do their homework, practice their instruments, do chores, etc., with minimal supervision if any. I think there are appropriate ages to hover, and that if parents are sufficiently involved at those stages, their children are confident enough to strike out on their own (to progressively greater degrees) responsibly at the appropriate ages. I think that it is important to LET them become independent when they are ready, and be there to help when they ask.

I am a child of a helicopter parent. Growing up, constant communication with my parents was expected and necesary. But as I got older, the struggle for independence was always there. I was always depressed but I always put on a front to apease my parents. I understand they didnt have help from either of their folks, but they decided to be different. My brother was always independent, paid for his things with his own money, my mothers(the H parent)favorite,I was always held back from being independent, so she tried to keep me under her thumb. My father on the other hand was the parent i looked up to, not because he favored me, but rather he would listen and do things with me, not hovering waiting for me to fail so as to help but let me make a choice. There is a difference between being their for your children and being a Helicopter Parent. For all of the parents out there who think they were just ” doing what was best for their children” are only fooling themselves. It’s more convenient and more socialy acceptable if your children are successful, but for your children to be better people, you need to know when not to help get rid of a problematic situation but help give them support to get through it, ie let them know that they can do it. I’ve seen the mistakes both of my parents have made, now that I have 2 young boys I have to raise them to be acceptable to the only one that really matters, God. I hope I can give a little insight on what YOUR child WILL think when they have gone into the REAL WORLD and its time for them to think on their own.