[KSUViolet06]

I consider someone a "helicopter" parent when they cannot allow their child to fail, make a mistake, or not get their way. They have to step in and try to "fix things" so they work out in their child's favor. They have the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality.

For example: Mikey gets an 88% B in Math, but he's upset because he wanted an A.

Normal parent response: Tells Mikey that he still did a good job, and that if he wants the A, he'll just have to work a little harder next time.

Helicopter parent response: Immediately gets on the phone to call the teacher to see if she can just "bump it up" to the A (since it's only 2% more). When the teacher says no, she decides that the teacher is "incompetent" that her "assignments are too hard" or that she "doesn't grade fairly." She then goes over teacher's head to the Principal about this grade. She feels like her son should get the A even though he did not earn it.

ETA: Yes, I understand that it is natural to feel bad when your child is disappointed and to want to help them. But I think you hurt them more when you condition your child to think that "whenever I don't get something I want, Mom will step in and get it for me."