We all want to protect our children but when does care become control? Dr David Coleman explains how parents can be supportive while leaving space for autonomy, and even mistakes If we do everything for our children, including homework, they’ll never learn to do it themselves. Photo: Getty Helicopter parenting usually gets bad press, and for good reason. Helicopter parents are those who are likely to be over-involved in their child’s life, ever-present, micro-managing every decision, every action and every challenge their child faces.
Such over-parenting aims to protect the child from disappointment or any suffering, and give them every opportunity to succeed in life. But it often backfires. Over-involved parents are likely to be controlling, and by taking away decision-making from their child will often delay or prevent the development of responsibility and autonomy.
A child with a helicopter parent never has to take responsibility for anything, since their parent always does. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
