A Letter to Helicopter Parents | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

A Letter to Helicopter Parents

There are two gifts parents should give their children: one is roots, and the other is wings.

206
A Letter to Helicopter Parents
Pinterest

So, your childhood wasn't the greatest. And you promised yourself you'd be nothing like your parents. But let's face it, you're probably a lot more like your parents than you ever thought you'd be. You're strict, controlling, and you rule with an iron fist. And even though you justify it all by saying you're protecting your kids, trust me when I say you're doing more harm than good.

Now, I don't have any kids, so I don't know what it's like to love someone so unconditionally and live with the constant fear of not doing enough, but from a kid's perspective, you should probably loosen the reins. Your kids need to make their own mistakes. This doesn't mean they're gonna go out and get high on every street drug they can get their hands on while simultaneously binge drinking from a stranger's liquor cabinet. It also doesn't mean that they're gonna drop out of school and run away with the boy they just met last week. But what it does mean is that you should trust them andyourself enough to know that you've done well as a parent. You've taught them right from wrong. You've shown them what it means to be a good, decent person. You've given them values and morals to live by. And you've provided for them and built structure in their lives. At some point, though, they need to be their own person. They need to learn things on their own, and some of those things will have to be learned the hard way, like failure and heartbreak. I'll admit, it's probably not gonna be easy for you to watch, but you have to let it happen.

See, the harsh reality is that you're not gonna be around forever. You can't protect your kids and shield them from the world forever. You can be there to catch them or pick them up when they fall, but you have to let them try on their own first. There's no way of knowing how much potential your children have, how far they can roam, how strong and capable they are, or how well you've taught them if they can't test the waters and see for themselves.

I say all of that to say this: your children may be your babies, but they're not babies anymore. Take a step back, give them some space, and let them grow into the people that you've helped them become. Allow them to make mistakes and fix them on their own, to learn that only they have to live with the consequences of their decisions and that they are capable of achieving something on their own and basking in the glow of their own success. Force them to be independent, strong-willed, and determined. Don't put them in a bubble and shelter them. Don't limit their dreams and abilities. And don't fear for their futures. You've done well as a parent. And you've paved the way for them to do well as your children and as human beings, too. They'll live a life you'll be proud of, especially if you give them the chance to do it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

621
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1688
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments