Helicopter Parents, so named because, like helicopters, they hover overhead overseeing their child’s life, and paying extremely close attention to what and how they do at school and college.
They are essentially well meaning, but can be obsessed with failure, which they want to avoid at all costs. It’s one reason why they take them to so many self-improving after school activities. When their child leaves school for college the Helicopter Parent still contacts them endlessly and stays closely involved with their progress. These parents focus on watching their child’s every move rather than being concerned about what their child actually wants. As a result their child can feel their parent is not genuinely interested in them.
Amy Chua’s book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, (2012) created a huge reaction. It revealed her rigid and controlling stand with her daughters and wouldn’t let them to make their own decisions. For example, they were not allowed to watch TV or have sleepovers with schoolmates. Her book led to the use of the term Tiger Mother for parents who control their children excessively and shame and coerce them into meeting their own high expectations. It is hard for a child to have this type of parent who ignores their feelings and insists on micro-managing everything they do
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