What’s a helicopter parent? It’s “a parent who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children.”1How can you tell? Answer these questions:2 Can our kids make decisions without asking us what to do? Do our kids consider us their best friend? Do our kids resent our gifts and support? Are they perfectionists and only interested in credentials? If that fits, “cut the cord.” Obviously, this isn’t going to work for little kids, but if our kids are in college or just about to head there, practice the song: “Let it go! Let it go!” Our kids don’t need us to make all their decisions. How are they going to learn if we’re always giving them the answers? You wouldn’t do that if they were going to take an exam, would you?

1English Oxford Living Dictionaries, OxfordDictionaries.com1

2This Parent Minute is based in part on “5 Signs You Were Raised by Helicopter Parents,” a report by Anna Almendrala for HuffingtonPost.com, featuring clinical psychologist, Wendy Mogel

Suggested Reading: Psalm 127:4, John 17:18