Lawnmower parents are parents who mow down every obstacle that gets in the way of our kids.1 While they have great intentions, the effects can be debilitating. You probably know what I’m talking about. A mom goes to school to give their daughter a ZeroWater because that Aquafina water just wasn’t good enough for her. Or how about the parent who walks up to the coach of the freshman basketball team telling him how important it is for his son to make the team? If we mow down every obstacle, how are our kids going to learn to navigate them? If they can’t cope with challenges, it breeds depression and anxiety. Scripture is clear too: “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance” (James 1:2, ESV).

1“Lawnmower Parents Are the New Helicopter Parents & We Are Not Here for It,” WeAreTeachers.com

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Romans 5:3, James 1:2