10 signs you’re a helicopter parent and why it’s harming your child

It’s an ironic twist of fate: we parents, who love our children more deeply than anyone else could, may unintentionally hinder their growth. Our care, thoughtfulness, and protective instincts are beyond question, but are we nurturing their independence or merely casting a shadow that stunts their development?

Enter the concept of the “helicopter parent”—a term that paints a vivid picture of a parent hovering ever-so-closely over their child, swooping in at the slightest sign of challenge or discomfort. While the intention is to safeguard, the reality may be far less rosy. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but sometimes, the one who’s always there for our kids—us, the parents—needs to take a step back and self-reflect.

If you recognize yourself doing the following things, you might be a helicopter parent, and you might be doing more harm than good.

1. You’re Always Solving Their Problems

I remember back when my son was in third grade, he came home one day upset about a math problem he couldn’t solve. My immediate instinct was to step in, take the pencil, and solve the equation for him. But then it hit me – was I helping him learn or just saving him from temporary discomfort?

As parents, we hate to see our kids struggle. But if we’re always swooping in to fix things for them, we could unintentionally be sending a message that we don’t trust them to handle situations on their own.

This might feel like protective parenting at the moment, but in the long run, it can hinder their problem-solving skills and stunt their independence.

2. You’re Always Praising Them

Now, this point might seem a bit odd because we’re often told how important it is to praise our children. And it is! But let me share a personal story to explain the fine line here.

One day, my daughter came home with a painting from school. It was a simple scribble of colors, but like any proud parent, I showered her with praises like “You’re such an amazing artist!” and “This is the best painting I’ve ever seen!”

But then a friend pointed out something that made me reconsider my approach. Was I praising my daughter’s effort or just the outcome? By over-praising the product, was I setting her up for unrealistic expectations and potential disappointments in the future?

That’s when I realized that constant and over-the-top praises can sometimes do more harm than good. It could lead our children to develop a fear of failure or a constant need for validation.

3. You’re Overly Involved in Their Social Lives

Here’s a confession: I used to be that parent who would micro-manage every playdate my son had. I would hover around, making sure he was playing ‘nicely’, intervening at the smallest disagreements, even dictating which games they should play.

One day, a fellow parent gently suggested that I was being a little too involved. It stung, but it was a wake-up call. I was so busy trying to orchestrate my son’s social interactions that I wasn’t giving him the space to navigate them himself.

Being overly involved in our children’s social lives might seem like good parenting because we’re trying to prevent any heartache or conflict. But in doing so, we could be robbing them of the chance to develop crucial social skills like conflict resolution, empathy, and negotiation.

4. You’re Doing Their Homework

We’ve all heard the saying, “practice makes perfect.” Well, it’s a saying for a reason – it’s true! Think about it, how did you learn to ride a bike or tie your shoelaces? You probably did it over and over again until you got it right.

Now, think about your child’s homework. If you’re the one who’s always filling in their worksheets or completing their projects, are they getting the practice they need to learn and grow?

Stepping in to do our children’s homework might seem like a helpful move. After all, we don’t want them to get low grades. But here’s the thing: homework is not just about getting the right answers, it’s about the process of figuring out those answers. It’s this process that helps kids learn, develop thinking skills and boost their academic confidence.

5. You’re Shielding Them From Every Disappointment

There was a time when I couldn’t bear the thought of my little one facing any sort of disappointment.

I remember how I’d go to great lengths to ensure everything went exactly as he wanted, from the smallest toy to the birthday parties. I was constantly running around, trying to create a perfect world for him.

But one day I stopped and asked myself: Was I doing him any good? Life isn’t perfect, and it was high time he learned to deal with that.

The truth is, life is full of ups and downs. By shielding our kids from every little disappointment, we might be setting them up for bigger shocks in the future when things don’t go their way.

It’s important for our children to understand that it’s okay to lose a game sometimes, it’s okay if they don’t always get what they want, and it’s absolutely okay to feel upset about it. What matters is how they handle these disappointments and bounce back.

6. You’re Not Allowing Them to Take Risks

I’ll admit it, I was scared of letting my daughter take risks. The thought of her climbing a tree or riding a bike on her own filled me with dread. I wanted to keep her in a bubble, safe from harm.

But then, I noticed something. My daughter was starting to hold back, even from small challenges. She was becoming overly cautious and hesitant. It was like she was afraid of making mistakes, and that troubled me.

As much as we want to protect our children from danger, it’s important to understand that risk-taking is a part of growth. It’s through taking risks that children learn about their abilities, test their limits, and build confidence.

So, despite the knot in my stomach, I started letting my daughter take calculated risks. I held my breath as she climbed up that tree and bit my lip when she hopped on her bike. But you know what? She did just fine. And the joy on her face when she realized what she could do? Absolutely priceless.

7. You’re Making All Their Choices

I was guilty of this one. From picking out my son’s clothes to deciding what he should eat for lunch, I was the decision-maker in almost every aspect of his life. I thought I was just being a good parent by saving him the trouble of having to make choices.

But then, one day, something happened that made me rethink my approach. My son had a school project where he had to choose a topic of his interest and prepare a presentation. He was lost; he didn’t know how to make a choice because he was so used to me making them for him.

That’s when it hit me. By making all his choices, I had inadvertently denied my son the chance to develop decision-making skills. These are vital life skills that can influence his ability to think independently, solve problems, and handle pressure.

So, I began to step back and let my son start making decisions for himself – from small things like what t-shirt to wear to bigger things like which sport he wanted to play at school.

Sure, he made some choices that I didn’t agree with, and sometimes he faced consequences. But each decision, each consequence became a learning experience for him.

If you’re like me and have been making all your child’s choices, it might be time to take a step back. Let them make their own decisions, and yes, their own mistakes. It’s an integral part of their journey towards becoming independent individuals.

8. You’re Constantly Worried About Their Safety

Did you know that kids who are allowed to engage in some forms of risky play have been found to show greater physical and social health? That’s right! A scraped knee or a small bruise can actually be good for a child’s development.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we let our kids wander into harmful situations. But I do mean that it’s healthy for them to engage in activities that carry the potential for minor injuries like climbing, jumping, or rough-and-tumble play.

I used to be one of those parents who’d gasp at the sight of my son just standing near a tree. But over time, I realized that by constantly worrying about his safety and preventing him from exploring his physical boundaries, I was hampering his growth and self-confidence.

While it’s crucial to ensure our kids are safe, we also need to remember that a few scrapes and bruises are part of childhood. They give our children the opportunity to learn about their limits and capabilities. And trust me, they’re more resilient than we give them credit for!

9. You’re Over-Scheduling Their Lives

I used to have my daughter’s schedule packed from dawn to dusk. Piano lessons, soccer practice, art classes—you name it, she was enrolled. I thought I was giving her a well-rounded upbringing. But then I noticed she was often exhausted and, more importantly, she hardly had any time to just be a kid.

That’s when it dawned on me. In my endeavor to provide her with opportunities, I had accidentally stripped her of the freedom to enjoy unscheduled playtime. She was missing out on the simple joys of childhood—making up games, daydreaming, or just lying on the grass watching clouds pass by.

As parents, we naturally want our children to have the best of everything. But in doing so, we sometimes forget that unstructured play and downtime is essential for their development. It’s during these free times that children learn creativity, explore their interests, and understand themselves better.

Instead of jam-packing their day with structured activities, try to balance it out with plenty of free time. Let them decide what they want to do with this time. It could be as simple as building a fort out of cushions or chasing butterflies in the park—let them enjoy the magic of being a child.

10. You’re Having a Hard Time Letting Go

I remember the first time my son went on a school trip without me. I was a bundle of nerves, calling the school every hour to check in. I realized then that I was having a hard time letting go.

As parents, it’s tough to accept that our little ones are growing up and becoming more independent. It’s hard to let go, but it’s also necessary. They need to experience life on their own, make their own choices, and learn their own lessons.

Seeing my son return from his trip, brimming with stories and newfound confidence, I knew that as hard as it was for me to let go, it was the right thing to do.

So take a deep breath, fellow parents. It’s time we loosen our grip a little and let our kids fly. Yes, they will make mistakes, but they will also learn, grow, and become stronger individuals.