What defines a helicopter parent?

[ree-Xi]

A few months ago, someone I know posted a very public diatribe (on Facebook) about some "mean girls" who were teasing her 14-year old daughter. Her daughter was on a bus riding to an "away" sports event, and a few of the other girls were making fun of her. Her daughter's friend, who had been sitting next to her, got up from her seat and sat with the "mean girls". Her daughter started to cry on bus and sat by herself on the way home.

The mother tells the story, and finished with "THESE GIRLS BETTER WATCH THEIR BACKS!! They have pissed off a mama bear!!! I HATE GIRLS LIKE THAT!!"

Now, I don't have tolerance for bullying, and I hate to see any kid ostracized and made fun of, but really? Do you think that this is going to help your kid?

To make matters worse, more then ten other people commented in similar fashion "Nobody better bother -----", "I'll come and teach those kids a lesson", and "what are their dads' names? I happen to know a guy that would be happy to pay their dads a little visit!!!

FWAP! FWAP! indeed!

[33girl]

OMG. Speaking of Facebook. This isn't "helicoptering" per se, but it just makes my skin crawl. Parents posting REALLY embarassing or unflattering pics of their kids. I don't mean prom pics that the kids will be saying in 20 years "why the hell did I wear that?" For example, one of my HS friends posted pictures of her daughter laying in her bed at the hospital while she was ill!! Needless to say she looked like hell. Some other parents have posted similar things. Don't they realize these will be on the internet for all time? I mean, I would be MORTIFIED if my mother even took such a picture, let alone showed it to 300 of her closest friends.

This makes me think that the parents have a problem separating themselves - like they just think of the child as an extension of themself, not as an individual person.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

OMG. Speaking of Facebook. This isn't "helicoptering" per se, but it just makes my skin crawl. Parents posting REALLY embarassing or unflattering pics of their kids. I don't mean prom pics that the kids will be saying in 20 years "why the hell did I wear that?" For example, one of my HS friends posted pictures of her daughter laying in her bed at the hospital while she was ill!! Needless to say she looked like hell. Some other parents have posted similar things. Don't they realize these will be on the internet for all time? I mean, I would be MORTIFIED if my mother even took such a picture, let alone showed it to 300 of her closest friends.

This makes me think that the parents have a problem separating themselves - like they just think of the child as an extension of themself, not as an individual person.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[BAckbOwlsgIrl]

Yes, I know that this thread is bashing heli-moms.

<STANDS UP>
I LOVE MY HELI-MOM.
She drove the miles down with me to college and stayed with me during RUSH. Being ill, she gave me a break and made sure that I was rested.
When I found out at the last minute about international travel, ironically, I was ill, she typed my application after I wrote my essay. My Dad proof read too.

Yes, she can and is OVERBEARING. She is pushy. She thinks that she knows everything.
And yes, I agree with her to shut her up.
BUT I HEART MY HELI-MOM.
She has never called my boss.
In my first job, she made a gourmet chowder for Christmas potluck that I passed off as my own. I got on the bosses good side.

And yes, sometimes, I let her do heli-things because it makes her feel better. There are times, when I have put her in her place or laugh at her. Laughter and humor make things better. "Yes, Mom, I could do that job as well as prime minister and solve world hunger" or simply, "Sounds great Mom, why don't you do it?"

Underneath it all, I realized that my heli-mom and others, although stubborn and pushy, REALLY just have the biggest hearts of all and are probably the most loving creatures on earth. She means well. She wants the best for me.

WERE IT NOT FOR MY HELI-MOM, I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM TODAY.

<STEPS DOWN>

Please don't throw anything or color my holier than thou.

[33girl]

You don't have a heli-mom. I will explain to you why.

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

Yes, I know that this thread is bashing heli-moms.

<STANDS UP>
I LOVE MY HELI-MOM.
She drove the miles down with me to college and stayed with me during RUSH. Being ill, she gave me a break and made sure that I was rested.
When I found out at the last minute about international travel, ironically, I was ill, she typed my application after I wrote my essay. My Dad proof read too.

A real heli-mom would write your essay herself.

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

Yes, she can and is OVERBEARING. She is pushy. She thinks that she knows everything.
And yes, I agree with her to shut her up.
BUT I HEART MY HELI-MOM.
She has never called my boss.
In my first job, she made a gourmet chowder for Christmas potluck that I passed off as my own. I got on the bosses good side.

A real heli-mom would not only call your boss to make sure everything was alright in your job, but would call to make sure nothing was being served at Christmas potluck that could make you sick.

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

And yes, sometimes, I let her do heli-things because it makes her feel better. There are times, when I have put her in her place or laugh at her. Laughter and humor make things better. "Yes, Mom, I could do that job as well as prime minister and solve world hunger" or simply, "Sounds great Mom, why don't you do it?"

Real heli-moms are lacking in humor. KIDZ ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS YO.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You don't have a heli-mom. I will explain to you why.



A real heli-mom would write your essay herself.



A real heli-mom would not only call your boss to make sure everything was alright in your job, but would call to make sure nothing was being served at Christmas potluck that could make you sick.



Real heli-moms are lacking in humor. KIDZ ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS YO.

33--I think your description here moves to the next level of helicoptering--the lawnmower parent. The parent that tries to mow over any possible obstacle their child could face.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

In my first job, she made a gourmet chowder for Christmas potluck that I passed off as my own. I got on the bosses good side.

I'm not sure which is more -worthy -- that you would take credit for something someone else did in order to impress your boss or that it took your mother's gourmet chowder rather than your own efforts to get on the boss's good side.

[33girl]

Who wants chowder?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm not sure which is more -worthy -- that you would take credit for something someone else did in order to impress your boss or that it took your mother's gourmet chowder rather than your own efforts to get on the boss's good side.

I know, right?

I'd be out of luck as my mom is less of a cook than I am. If I were to pass off her cooking as my own, I'd probs get fired for how bad it is.

If I'm sick and I need to fill something out, she'll probably hand me some Pepto and tell me to get to work. She's a horrible neglectful person.

[psusue]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

If I'm sick and I need to fill something out, she'll probably hand me some Pepto and tell me to get to work.

This is my mom to a 't'. When I was younger and would get the sniffles she would literally make me a Tylenol and make me go to school. It seemed so harsh at the time but now I am pretty no-nonsense about illness, so I think it worked.

[srmom]

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

Yes, I know that this thread is bashing heli-moms.

<STANDS UP>
I LOVE MY HELI-MOM.
She drove the miles down with me to college and stayed with me during RUSH. Being ill, she gave me a break and made sure that I was rested.
When I found out at the last minute about international travel, ironically, I was ill, she typed my application after I wrote my essay. My Dad proof read too.

Yes, she can and is OVERBEARING. She is pushy. She thinks that she knows everything.
And yes, I agree with her to shut her up.
BUT I HEART MY HELI-MOM.
She has never called my boss.
In my first job, she made a gourmet chowder for Christmas potluck that I passed off as my own. I got on the bosses good side.

And yes, sometimes, I let her do heli-things because it makes her feel better. There are times, when I have put her in her place or laugh at her. Laughter and humor make things better. "Yes, Mom, I could do that job as well as prime minister and solve world hunger" or simply, "Sounds great Mom, why don't you do it?"

Underneath it all, I realized that my heli-mom and others, although stubborn and pushy, REALLY just have the biggest hearts of all and are probably the most loving creatures on earth. She means well. She wants the best for me.

WERE IT NOT FOR MY HELI-MOM, I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM TODAY.

<STEPS DOWN>

Please don't throw anything or color my holier than thou.

I hear you! I loved my heli-mom too!

Yes, there were times that she embarrassed the hell out of me, butting her nose in where it didn't belong, but I know now that she did it out of love and concern (and a desire to make sure her daughter had the best - which was also embarrassing).

I learned from her mistakes, and took the good things I got from her and tried to parent in a different way, but I'm sure I embarrassed my sons too, for different reasons. (isn't that what parents are for?).

But, I would give anything to have her back for one more day so that I could thank her for loving me so much that she put me in the forefront of her life.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

A few months ago, someone I know posted a very public diatribe (on Facebook) about some "mean girls" who were teasing her 14-year old daughter. Her daughter was on a bus riding to an "away" sports event, and a few of the other girls were making fun of her. Her daughter's friend, who had been sitting next to her, got up from her seat and sat with the "mean girls". Her daughter started to cry on bus and sat by herself on the way home.

The mother tells the story, and finished with "THESE GIRLS BETTER WATCH THEIR BACKS!! They have pissed off a mama bear!!! I HATE GIRLS LIKE THAT!!"

Now, I don't have tolerance for bullying, and I hate to see any kid ostracized and made fun of, but really? Do you think that this is going to help your kid?

To make matters worse, more then ten other people commented in similar fashion "Nobody better bother -----", "I'll come and teach those kids a lesson", and "what are their dads' names? I happen to know a guy that would be happy to pay their dads a little visit!!!

FWAP! FWAP! indeed!

This sounds like a Lifetime Movie in the making.. based on a true story. Very scary.