Parents being involved in the lives of their children is an absolute necessity, however some parents take it way to far, to the detriment of their kids.
I first heard the term “helicopter parents” a number of months ago in my MBA class. The same day, I learned about “blackhawk parents.” This past Tuesday, I learned yet a third term: “lawnmower parents.” Here’s the definitions of each, straight from the all-knowing Wikipedia:
Helicopter parents
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. They are so named because, like helicopters, they hover closely overhead, rarely out of reach, whether their children need them or not.
Blackhawk parents
…those who cross the line from a mere excess of zeal to unethical behavior, such as writing their children’s college admission essays.
And you thought that was bad? Oh noes, it gets worse.
Lawnmower parents
…[used] to describe mothers and fathers who attempt to smooth out and mow down all obstacles, to the extent that they may even attempt to interfere at their children’s workplaces, regarding salaries and promotions, after they have graduated from college and are supposedly living on their own.
What!?
Are you freaking kidding me? At first I couldn’t believe that these types of parents existed. I sure wasn’t raised to have mommy and daddy come swooping in when my grades started slipping or I needed to negotiate salary for a job.
It’s called responsibility people. Have some, and take it for yourself.
I heard yet another sad story Tuesday night of a young guy, around 22 or 23-years-old, that had a solid job offer on the table that he had accepted. When he was on a conference call with a company to finalize the details, his father got on the phone. When asked why, the father responded that he was on to help negotiate the salary and benefits for his son. What was the result of that? The father was told that he had successfully negotiated his son’s salary down to zero and that his services would no longer be needed. The father, incredulous, stammered for a response and had only a dial tone for consolation.
What’s Happened Here?
That’s what I want to know. When did parents start being involved directly in job negotiations for their kids? When did employers start letting this happened? What has happened to personal responsibility? Sure, go ahead and ask your parents for advice, but don’t put them on the phone.
Do you have experience with these kids or their parents? I’d love to hear about them below.
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