Medical: Back To School: The risks of hovering over children

Many of today’s parents are actively involved in their children’s activities. Moms and dads may take their child to after-school activities several days a week. Some parents push their children to excel at sports and school to get the best college offers and scholarships. When children don’t do as well as expected, parents may talk with coaches and teachers to find ways to “improve” opportunities and performance.

Moms and dads who hover over so many aspects of their child’s life have been called “helicopter parents.” And the close contact and control doesn’t end after high school. A recent National Survey of Student Engagement found 70 percent of college students have frequent contact with at least one parent/guardian during the school year. 75 percent of the students reportedly followed parents’ advice regarding academic or personal issues. 25 percent of students said a parent sometimes intervened on behalf of the student to solve a problem. About 13 percent of freshmen and 8 percent of seniors say a parent intervened frequently to solve problems at college. Mothers are more likely to engage in helicopter parenting than dads.

Helicopter parenting isn’t just an academic issue. Some employers say parents are getting overly involved in their child’s employment search. Some parents call to arrange interviews, negotiate salaries and benefits and even attempt to discuss raises and promotions.

  So what can you do to help without hurting your child?  Experts say setting and reaching certain goals is another important step toward developing independece. This goal-setting can start in small ways such as asking your child what he or she would like to accomplish during the day.