Page 18 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 3_2024

TODAY'S CHILD
Initiative

HELICOPTER, AIR-FRYER,

OR LIGHTHOUSE PARENTS

B Y DR ILSE RU ANE

The transition from primary school to teenage avoid mistakes and failures. We can
easily feel that we are bad parents
years can often be the most challenging shift in if we don’t immerse ourselves in our
children’s lives. Guilt is a significant
parenting. It marks a significant shift in control factor in this dynamic. This may
lead to overcompensation, where
and in how children respond to it. Although we excessive attention and monitoring
may sometimes attempt to remedy
failures.
are cognisant that our child’s needs are changing, The effects of helicopter parenting

and therefore our parenting style also needs to Many helicopter parents start with good
intentions. It is a tricky line to find, to
change, it remains challenging. be engaged with our children and their
lives but not so embedded that we lose
perspective on what they need. Engaged
THE “HELICOPTER PARENT” • Fear of consequences: Parents parenting has many benefits for a child,
such as feelings of love and acceptance,
Helicopter parenting is a colloquial term might fear their child’s rejection from
that refers to overprotective parenting the sports team or a botched job better self-confidence and opportunities
to grow. However, the problem is that
and overparenting. It refers to a style interview. At the bottom of this is the
of parenting where parents are highly parent’s fear that they could have once parenting becomes governed by
fear and decisions based on what might
involved in their child’s life. Their focus done more to help. However, parents
can negatively impact a child’s mental try to prevent many consequences, happen, it’s hard to remember what
children learn when we are not guiding
health, self-image, coping skills, and such as unhappiness, struggle,
more. Helicopter parenting most often not excelling, working hard, and no each step. Failure and challenges teach
children new skills and, most importantly,
applies to parents who help high school guaranteed results, they are great
students with tasks they can do alone. teachers for children and are not teach children that they can handle
failure and challenges.
(for instance, calling a teacher about life-threatening. It just feels that way
poor marks, arranging doctors’ notes for as worry can drive parents to take The effects of helicopter parenting
missed tests, arranging a class timetable, control, believing that they can keep
or managing exercise habits). their child from ever being hurt or are widespread but may include
consequences such as the
Helicopter parenting can develop disappointed. following.
for many reasons, but there are two • Peer pressure from other parents • Decreased confidence and self-
common triggers. compels us to do the same and esteem: The main problem with
16 DPL issue 4 2024