I lost my first post which is probably just as well since I have preached a kindler, gentler GC but may I say I am appalled by the negative, judgmental nitpicking of some of you. What you consider as borderline psychotic parenting, AlphaFrog, I would consider courtesy on the part of AOPiBama Mom. Your criticisms of her were based on your assumptions which turned out to be incorrect, didn't they?

What is the deal with some of you? Why are you so bitter about what you term "heliparents". Were your own parents not there for you or so distant and removed that your resent other people whose parents are involved in their lives? Or were you raised by wolves? Based on your manners, I would guess the latter.

Lighten up and go find a witch hunt somewhere. Madame DeFarge is waiting for you.

Helicopter parents might ruin America if their weirdness becomes any more pervasive than it is.

They must be stopped.

It has nothing to do with the kind of parenting one received. It's interaction with the helicopters that make one realized the damage they can do.

(On the other hand, I don't think we need to be rude to people, but it's hard to take a lesson in politeness from someone who suggests that others were raised by wolves. "just sayin'" as the kids say.)

Actually, I consider it worse. It's 1000% characteristic of helimomming. If her daughter didn't ASK her to stick her nose in, why did she feel it necessary? I'm assuming she's got one of those daughters that doesn't realize that her mom is a helimom, because she's ALWAYS done EVERYTHING for her, and just doesn't know any other way.

My parents raised me so that by the time I got to highschool they didn't have to be worried about me. They knew I wasn't out getting into trouble, and they trusted me to take care of myself, and come to them if I had a problem. They came to a few music concerts and softball games and plays, but they didn't feel the need to be at every single one, and I didn't feel the need to have them there. When I got to college, they still came to a few of my events, but mainly allowed me my freedom. I called them when I've had job interviews to give me a couple practice questions or to run and idea by them for an outfit, but they would never DREAM of actually going to an interview with me. You can be a decent parent without being a helicopter.

Now, my own daughter is turning three. She came to me yesterday with a puzzle, wanting me to put it together for her. I started her out, by putting in a few of the corner pieces in, and then let her work on it. She stopped a few times, frustrated and asking me to do it for her...but I just told her that she was good, and she knew how and she smiled and kept right on working. I could have put it together for her, but what does that do for her?

I hate to the be the bearer of bad news, but the "helicopter parents" are a trademark of the millenial generation. It seems as though we are in for quite a bit of this behavior and it may even get worse over the years. Sad, but true.

Congratulations--- you sound like the perfect Mom. I am so happy that you were able to find time to help your 3 year old with her puzzle with having posting 9,275 times on this website.

Oh, for God's sake.

Ruining America? They must be stopped? It's going to get worse??

Are we talking about Global Warming??

Where's Batman when you REALLY need him???

You know what's taking the fun out of Greekchat? YOUR THESIS.

This whole thread makes me a little sad.
Here's the best advice for the friend: study hard this year. Your best shot as a sophomore during rush is to make sure that your freshman transcript helps you.
We all love our daughters and their friends, in our own way. I cared deeply about the rush experience of our neighbor, our babysitter and my friend's daughters. I know when it it my daughter's turn I will hope and cry and post like everyone else and I hope people are kind to me then.

How is giving your 3 y.o. the information she needed to do the puzzle herself any different than AOIIbamamom asking for information to give her daughter to help her with her situation?? The last time I checked AOIIbamamom was not intending to go down to UA and go through spring rush for her daughter's friend.

Oh, it takes the fun out of more than GreekChat.

But I really do think this is a bad trend that we should try to stop by reminding people that what they are doing might not be normal or necessary.

As I believe I said earlier, I don't know if AOIIBamaMom is a helicopter parent or not. It's pretty easy just to ask a question here rather than dealing with it in real life when it's a largely hypothetical issue, as long as you understand that the info. you get might not be reliable.

(I know I did the same thing when I wondered about someone re-activating her membership after her daughters joined)

So, I'm not quite as likely to jump in a condemn particular people as others are; I don't think I am anyway.

But I think this is a societal trend that could be as important as the number of out of wedlock kids is. Obviously, I mean in a different way.

Parenting isn't just some sort of personal decision without implications for the rest of us. The fruits of helicopter parenting are NOT going to have a neutral outcome for the rest of us when we need these offspring in the work force in leadership roles and they have to call momma first.

Again, I'm not making any connection to any person here. I'm just saying that you can kid all you want about my hyperbole, but HPing has the potential to mess up a lot more than GLOs and college life.

Enough! Take your discussions on the various style of parenting ELSEWHERE.