Damaging Effects of Helicopter Parenting

Becoming a parent is one of the most thrilling experiences that people will have in their lifetime. Changing diapers, 1:00 am feedings, and doctors appointments are constant when you have an infant. People quite often say to cherish children while they're little because they grow up so fast; that is an absolute fact.

As children get older they don't require their parents as much as they once did. For example they know how to dress themselves, they have chores, and some of them are farther ahead educationally than most of their parents are. But even though some children don't need constant supervision, their parents don't always know how to fall back and let them go.

Helicopter parenting is a description of a mother or father hovering over a child's every move. They follow their children to the right and follow them to the left and this isn't always necessary when a child reaches a certain age.

This is an overview of the effects helicopter parenting has on a child.

Communication- The helicopter parent is a constant presence in their child's life and more often than not the parent will speak for them and because of this a child is not allowed, therefore not capable of communicating. This will hinder the child's communication level and will have an impact on how he interacts with his peers.

Decision making- Every person has to make decisions whether it's to have coffee or tea, whether to eat out or at home or whether to pay the bills or go shopping. If a child has a helicopter parent they are not given an opportunity to choose things for them self. When this happens the child will not learn to problem solve, learn through trial and error, and often they feel paralyzed not knowing what to do in certain situations. Additionally a child may not exercise common sense and depend on their parent to do everything for them.

Insecurity- A child's self esteem has a factor in the helicopter parenting issue. Many times children will not feel good about whom they are because their opinions aren't heard or validated; this can leave a child feeling frustrated and unaware of their identity apart from their parent.

Independence- Because a parent is hovering they don't give their children room to move and grow. Children need to be independent so they aren't constantly relying on their parent and so they can learn to be a responsible adult.

There are countless reasons why helicopter parenting is harmful but these are the most damaging. Parents need to step back and give their child opportunities to make their own decisions so they can grow into the person that they were designed to be.