Helicopter Parenting...

Recently, while channel surfing, I happened upon a talk show where they were discussing "helicopter" mothers. You know they type, constantly hovering over a child, trying to control their child in all aspects of interaction, environment, and expression. Then, while browsing through a Scientific American special edition on child development, I came across a quote...

"When mothers seemed to have a need to be constantly involved by controlling and limiting the child's activity, it made the child insecure. Children who felt confident of their mother's interest behaved in a more relaxed way and presumably would adapt better to their surroundings."

We, as parents, are trying to raise our children to become responsible adults, who are independent, and can make positive, active choices in their lives. The foundation for this goal begins early, and as parents of kindergarten children, we need to evaluate how much we are doing for our child. A child who is five, is capable of doing many things around the house, and can learn to do many things independently. If you are doing many things for your child, begin to transfer appropriate activities that you normally do, to your child. They can sort the socks in the laundry, set the table, put their clothes away, help put dishes in the dishwasher. Give them a chore chart of a few activities they can do and possibly give them a small allowance for following through with their chores.

Children with control in their lives tend to be more confident and have less "tantrums". Although the chores may take your child longer to do than for you to do, the time you take to teach them now, will save you time in the long run. Relax.

"Children whose mothers are relaxed seem at ease. Those with controlling mothers seem insecure." (Scientific American: Special Edition on Child Development)