I’m not a big fan of how we feel the need as a society to label everyone and everything but I understand that’s human nature. This whole helicopter parenting thing may well be a “real thing”, let’s assume it is. Here’s my thing, some people may see me at the park with Sammy and think I have helicopter parenting tendencies.
Yes, I tend to be nearby as he navigates his way around the playground or runs around the vast grassy areas but I do so for the following reasons; I want to make sure he is being kind and respectful to the other kids (this is actually my number one reason). I also want to make sure that the other kids aren’t being douchebags to him. That said, I also let him handle those situations for the most part when they come up…which is rare.
Another reason I like to be nearby or at least make sure he is always within eyesight is to make sure some creepy, random dude doesn’t take off with him. Lastly, if there is some way that I can prevent a major head injury or whatever, why wouldn’t I? I’d rather go home from the park and be able to have some wine and a good dinner then spend the evening at the hospital eating hospital food and stressing out over his injuries.
I like “preventative”. That’s why I always lock my car doors, my house doors and windows, and so on. I’d rather be safe than sorry. When you get lackadaisical is typically when something can go wrong. So, to sum it up, live and let live. People parent differently. Respect the parent so long as they are not inflicting real harm. I would prefer to be called an “aware parent” if you feel the need to label me.
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