« Great Article for entering freshmen and families! | Main | Move-In Days »
July 27, 2006
Helicopter Parents- not a bad thing.
Are you a helicopter parent? Are your parents hovering over you? Do you understand this Millennial term?
Preface: I don’t think the label of ‘helicopter parent’ is all that bad.
Quick test:
1. As a parent have you ever made a statement similar to: “We are applying to XYZ college”.
2. Students, do you parents still wake you up for school in the morning and have breakfast on the table for you?
3. Parents, do you feel uncomfortable in a college visit if the admission person separates your son/daughter from you during the interview process?
4. Does your family own a family cell phone plan that has unlimited free calls to each other?
5. As a parent do you know where your daughter is at all hours of the day?
6. As a son do you keep your parents up to date on all your whereabouts?
7. As a parent have you ever completed an answer for your son in any type of interview? Have you ever answered a question for your daughter before she could answer it?
8. As a parent, have you ever said “I am not a helicopter parent because…….”
If anyone in the family has said yes to one or more of these questions you probably have a ‘helicopter parent’ situation.
More often than not, this is a good thing, not bad.
Here is a Newsweek quiz for you as well: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12746612/site/newsweek/
There are a lot of amusing stories out there about the so called ‘helicopter parents’ hovering over their child’s every move. As the parent of a three year-old, my daughter hasn’t quite reached independence yet, but I can see myself wanting to protect her at all costs. This does not make me or you a bad parent. I would rather meet a family that is very involved in a student’s college search than one that gives a student cap fair for the ride to campus.
Advice for parents: The College Board has some nice information for you once your child arrives on campus. http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/plan/getting-ready/50129.html
I believe it is better to love, protect, and nurture your child as much as possible. But if your children are resisting it is better to talk things over rather than forcing your will upon them. ‘We’ can apply to all the colleges ‘we’ want to, however, the student is the one that has to live with the final decision and attend. The more independent this choice can be the greater chance that it will be a successful transition.
Advise for students:
The college search is a family voyage, but ultimately your life it is effecting most. The college selection is one of the first life changing decisions a student will have. It is also a great opportunity for individuals to show their independence. Demonstrating this independence will provide a student more confidence that they are making the right choice and are prepared for the next step into college.
If you come visit Albright, don't be afraid to identify yourself as a helicopter parent or a son or daughter of a helicopter parent. We welcome you all!
Posted by Chris Boehm at July 27, 2006 1:07 PM