Wikipedia definition of helicopter parent: “A helicopter parent (also called a cosseting parent or simply a cosseter) is a parent who pays extremely close attention to a child’s or children’s experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions.”

Helicopter parenting is certainly not new and parents who exhibit these characteristics are rarely self-aware.  I believe there are many rationales for this beginning with “I know my child best” and or “I am trying to protect my child.”  No matter the reasons, helicopter parenting can be incredibly debilitating to a child’s development as they constantly look to their parents for reassurance and direction.

In addition, when a parent believes that they are suspected of helicopter parenting, they will take action, make statements to try and disprove this label without ever dealing with the root cause and possible side effects of helicopter parenting.

Listed below are some signs that you may be a helicopter parent:

Teen years and beyond[1]

• not allowing your child to make age-appropriate choices
• becoming overly involved in their academic work and extracurricular activities to shield them from failure or disappointment
• contacting their college professor about poor grades
• intervening in disagreements with their friends, co-workers, or employer

And here are some of the possible negative impacts of helicopter parenting:

The negative impacts of helicopter parenting[2]

• In 2010, a study by researcher Neil Montgomery, a psychologist at Keene State College in New Hampshire, found that overprotective parents might have a lasting impact on their child’s personality by prolonging childhood and adolescence. Approximately 300 college freshmen were surveyed about their level of agreement with statements regarding their parents’ involvement in their lives. The results showed that 10 percent of the participants had helicopter parents. The research also revealed that students with helicopter parents tended to be less open to new ideas and actions, and were more vulnerable, anxious, dependent, and self-conscious.
• Another 2016 study evaluated questionnaires about parenting completed by 377 students from a Midwestern university. Students responded to statements about the type of parents they have, how often they communicate with their parents, and how much their parents intrude in their lives. The students also completed a number of tests to discern their decision-making skills, academic performance, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results showed that higher overall helicopter parenting scores were associated with stronger symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• According to that study, helicopter parenting “was also associated with poorer functioning in emotional functioning, decision making, and academic functioning. Parents’ information-seeking behaviors, when done in absences of other [helicopter parenting] behaviors, were associated with better decision making and academic functioning.”

This is a great resource for parents of college-bound students, https://grownandflown.com/.

In closing, our greatest desire for every CFS student is to identify the best college options that will yield the best possible outcomes academically, socially, and, yes, developmentally.

[1] healthline.com/health/parenting/helicopter-parenting#what-it-looks-like

[2] https://www.gottman.com/blog/helicopter-parenting-good-intentions-poor-outcomes/