Page 35 - Intra Muros April 2024

TODAYS CHILD

• Peer pressure from other parents • Increased anxiety: Over-parenting is The effects of air-fryer parenting
compels us to do the same and associated with higher levels of anxiety Air-fryer parenting is an unsuccessful
avoid mistakes and failures. We can and depression. dance between being overinvolved and
easily feel that we are bad parents if letting go. It stems from a point of fear and
we don’t immerse ourselves in our • Sense of entitlement: Children who desperation in the parent. When you use
children’s lives. Guilt is a significant have always had their social, academic, an intense, then back-off-again approach
factor in this dynamic. This may and athletic lives adjusted by their as a parenting style, it often solves your
lead to overcompensation, where parents can become accustomed to short-term problem of controlling children.
excessive attention and monitoring may always having their way, resulting in a These types of parents can initially get
sometimes attempt to remedy failures. sense of entitlement. the compliance they are looking for. But
it comes at a cost. It may lead to severe
The effects of helicopter parenting • Undeveloped life skills: Parents who problems for children and how they grow
Many helicopter parents start with good always tie shoes, clear plates, pack up to deal with the adult world. Too often,
intentions. It is a tricky line to find, to lunches, launder clothes, and monitor it leads children to be victims because
be engaged with our children and their school progress, especially when that’s the role they’ve been assigned in
lives but not so embedded that we lose children are mentally and physically their family, or they can be oppositional
perspective on what they need. Engaged capable of doing the task, prevent and demanding because that’s what
parenting has many benefits for a child, children from mastering these skills. was modelled for them by their parents.
such as feelings of love and acceptance, Neither role increases the child’s chance
better self-confidence and opportunities HELICOPTER PARENTS: of developing their potential and creating
to grow. However, the problem is that once • Lectures every chance they get. a successful life.
parenting becomes governed by fear and • Does their child’s work for them?
decisions based on what might happen, • Decides who their child has You can’t force your child into good
friendships with.
it’s hard to remember what children learn behaviour through reactive responses.
• Forces their child into hobbies.
when we are not guiding each step. Failure Over-the-top intense reactions followed by
• Bans social media and technology.
and challenges teach children new skills withdrawal just end up in a power struggle.
and, most importantly, teach children that [ Leads to anxious teens. The key is to give children consequences
they can handle failure and challenges. that work. The right consequences

The effects of helicopter parenting are THE “AIR-FRYER PARENT”
widespread but may include consequences Air-fryer parents are either completely
such as the following. switched off or blasting intense heat. This
intense heat causes a protective crispy
• Decreased confidence and self-esteem: crust to form around their children. This
The main problem with helicopter form of parenting might be considered
parenting is that it backfires. The healthier than helicopter parenting
underlying message sent to the child is, since they do not use
‘My parent doesn’t trust me to do this conventional methods. Still,
on my own.’ This message, in turn, leads it ends up being just
to a lack of confidence. as bad for the child
as for everyone
• Undeveloped coping skills: If the parent else in the family
is always there to clean up a child’s mess system. It’s
or prevent the problem in the first place, an aggressive
how does the child ever learn to cope approach but
with disappointment, loss, or failure? As ineffective at cleaning up
a result, helicopter parenting can lead to your child’s messes because
maladaptive behaviours, such as it can it propels the child forward
impair their child’s ability to regulate at a high intensity and then
emotions and behaviour. withdraws, leaving them lost.

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