10 Warning Signs of Helicopter Parenting

In this video, we’re going to explore the 10 warning signs of Helicopter parenting and how this parenting style could affect your child and your family in general.

Along the way, we’ll also be giving you some handy tips on how to avoid becoming a Helicopter parent.

Helicopter parenting is paying extremely close and detailed attention to your child’s experiences. Parents of this nature like to “hover” and constantly oversee every aspect of their child’s life.

Want to know if you’re a helicopter parent? Keep watching to find out 10 warning signs!

#1 You Solve Every Problem They Have

Your child didn’t finish their homework?

They can’t tie their shoes even though they’re old enough?

There’s a fine line between helping and hurting your child when it comes to parenting.

Take a step back. Let them struggle with age-appropriate things and experience disappointment. These will help them overcome things on their own and build their confidence.

#2 You Teach Their Teachers

Expecting the entire world to bend around your child’s unique situation simply isn’t feasible. Teaching your child to deal with the different personalities they’ll inevitably encounter will leave them far better off.

#3 You Do All The Talking

Do your best not to steal their thunder. Letting them do the talking allows them to learn things about themselves and be confident in their own thoughts and feelings.

#4 You Do Chores They Could Do

Yes, it’s easier to do things for kids when they’re younger. But children don’t stay young forever. They become capable of responsibility. Give them age-appropriate chores and help them learn about responsibility.

#5 You Choose For Them

Do you ever let them pick dinner? Or what books they want to read?

Allowing your children to choose is really about extending your trust to them. Remind yourself you’re trusting them to learn to make the right choices.

#6 You Never Let Them Play Alone Outdoors

Do you ever let your child out of your sight? Are you willing to let them take their bike around the block? Playing outdoors, unsupervised, gives children confidence, reduces stresses, and introduces them to the concept of freedom.

#7 You Don't Let Them Take Risks

Never letting your child do something a little daring could wire them into a risk-adverse adult who avoids challenges over a fear of what might happen. Resilience is built through failure, not avoidance.

#8 You Smooth Out Bumps In The Road For Them

You shouldn’t rush to fix your child’s emotions every time they get upset or mad.

Anger and sadness are inevitable facets of the human condition. Talk your child through emotional difficulties instead. Acknowledge their feelings and then show them ways to deal with them.

#9 You Worry About Them Excessively

If you’re constantly asking your child if everything’s fine, they may start to question whether or not it is, and take up the habit of worry themselves.

#10 You Don't Accept Failure

This one can often masquerade as ‘wanting the best for our children’. Failure is a natural part of life. Teach them about things like perseverance and self-love in the face of failure.

We all love and care for our children. We want the best for them. And we hate to see them fall down and hurt themselves. However, we need to know when to cut them a bit of slack. Otherwise, they will never grow into independent little human beings, adults in the making. This is where we should be conscious if we’re being a helicopter parent.

Be mindful of how you treat your children using Positive Parenting or Conscious Parenting techniques.

It may be hard to break the habit at first, but it is worth taking on the challenge.

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