Over-parenting

1. Write a summary of text 1 (”Do ’helicopter moms’ do more harm than good?”) o Robyn Lewis is a single mother of two boys. Since their birth her life has revolved only around them and even with them grown up and in college she still takes a great interest in them. Lewis serves as a “secretary mom” for her sons, organizing their lives, proofreading papers and doing their laundry. Her sons, both say that they are grateful for their mother’s efforts and Lewis takes great pride in being able to help them balance their lives.

Helen Johnson, consultant for parental relations within universities, explains that Lewis is among many other mothers and fathers a ‘helicopter parent’; she hovers over every step her sons take and if she can carry them through anything in life, she will. Being a helicopter mom is a habit with her, because while the constant calls help her sons, they help her stay close to them until there comes a time when she is forced to let go.

2. An outline of the attitudes towards over-parenting in text 1, 2 and 3 o In text 1 (“Do ‘helicopter moms’ do more harm than good?”) Helen Johnson tells of how parents often believe that they are doing the best thing for their children, only wanting them to succeed in everything while they probably do more harm than they think. When a mother ‘helicopters’ her child, the child is led to believe that they have to me monitored and helped trough everything because they simply cannot do it alone. In text 1 they also explain how the ‘helicopter moms’ do not just help their children, but it is also very effective for parents who cannot let go just yet. When their children go away to college, they continue to hover over them because it makes them feel closer connected to them. o In text ...

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... and they will not know that if you are constantly doing everything for them. They need to be aware that their parents should have their re-spect and that is not something you get when you fuss over your teen. Teenagers will often take your major efforts for granted and become challenged, if having to do something completely on their own. Parents should monitor and control their teenag-ers but to a certain degree; Of course it is good for a child to have dedicated and concerned parents, but the ‘helicopter parents’ take it to the next level and no one will benefit, in the long run, from having parents in that caliber. Parents should not monitor their teenagers with GPS systems like in the 3rd text meanwhile they shouldn’t leave their kids to fend for themselves. Children should be controlled, helped and monitored, but not carried through life by you or anyone else.