The term "helicopter parents" refers to "a style of parents who are over focused on their children".
Helicopter parents are always making a big push to provide children with every opportunity to succeed, from baby steps at age 1, homework at age 8, college application at age 18, employment issues at age 25 to family problems at age 30, 40 or even older. They constantly shadow the child, always directing his behavior, allowing him zero alone time.
Helicopter parenting can develop for a number of reasons. Worries about the economy, the job market, and the world in general can push parents toward taking more control over their child's life in an attempt to protect them. Adults who felt unloved or ignored as children can overcompensate their own children. When parents see other overinvolved parents, it can cause a similar response. They feel that if they don't involve themselves in their children's lives, they are bad parents.
The main problem with helicopter parenting is that it can backfire. To give an example, the house where Mary lived with roommates was broken into and things were stolen. Mary called the landlord(房东) to install an alarm system, but before she could finish the negotiations(协商), her mother rushed in and demanded action. "I felt like my mother ruined my communication with our landlord. We could have gotten it done ourselves. She was well intended but only made me feel annoyed and defeated, "says Mary.
Obviously, overparenting is motivated with the idea of doing good things but it does the exact opposite. In the long run parents are actually damaging their children's basic skills to deal with matters independently. It makes the children feel lacking in confidence, less competence in dealing with the stresses of life on their own. They're winning the battle, but actually losing the war.
