Sunday, August 30, 2009

Don't get me started on.....


Actually, it's probably too late. And by the "don't get me the started on", I mean "Helicopter Parents". To quote wikipedia, and who doesn't these days.....

"Helicopter parent is a colloquial, early 21st-century term for a parent who pays extremely close attention to his or her child's or children's experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions. These parents rush to prevent any harm or failure from befalling them and will not let them learn from their own mistakes, sometimes even contrary to the children's wishes."

So, back to the reason why this all started. We were on vacation/holiday (depending on which side of the channel you are reading this) last week and I had a moment of clarity.....

Helicopter Parenting is the antithesis of the Children and Nature movement.

The moment happened when I watched a couple of mothers hovering over their two year olds, who were using the slides on a jungle gym. When the children wanted to climb back up the slide of their own accord, they were told, several times, "up the stairs and down the slide". When did our job description of parenting include being the kill joy of fun? At two? On a jungle gym designed for two year olds?

So, if helicoptering over children hinders their free, unstructured play, just by the shear fact that adults are there..... then by golly, it's time to step back, sell the Apache and let the children play, preferably outside..........

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