How to Know if You're a Helicopter Parent

The hovering parent is a given in the twenty-first century. You hear stories about the constant text messaging through high school and college age, the parent accompanying the child to job fairs and interviews and more. Are you a helicopter parent? Check for the signs.

Instructions

1. Notice if you ever let your toddler fall. When your little one is learning to walk, are you always within range to catch her? You may be a helicopter parent if you find yourself repeating this process when she learns to ride a two-wheeler. Be aware of the pattern here: you never let her fall.

2. Reflect upon whether or not you have given your kindergartner a cell phone for instant communication. Is a cell phone really necessary for the lower elementary grades?

3. Consider whether you communicate via text messages with your middle school- or high school-aged child more than twice a day. There may be a hovering factor involved.

4. Meditate on how often you contact your college-aged child. Even once a day could qualify as helicopter parent status.

5. Understand that if you have contacted any professors, deans, admissions staff, potential employers or employers of your child--or taken a large part of the college admissions process upon yourself to complete--then your helicopter parent status is confirmed.