You have  surely   certainly   heard the term “helicopter parent” used  to pertain to parents who “hover” over their  offspring .  Now, educators have begun  to  utilize   the phrase “velcro parent” to  allude   to parents who “attach” themselves to their offspring .

Velcro parents, educators  inform us, are far   more harmful   than helicopter parents because they are so  wrapped up   in the lives of their  teen children that they  refuse to  allow  those children to move toward maturation and independence at anything like a normal  speed . 

Are you guilty of being a velcro parent ?  Here is how you can tell .

1.  Have you ever told a coach that your  child should be playing more  or playing another position?  Have you had a similar conversation  with a band conductor, choir director, drama coach , debate  team advisor  , etc.?

2.  Have you ever had a  conversation   with an employer you thought was treating your child  badly ?

3.  Have you ever done (not just  helped   with) your child’s homework  assignments   or  projects ?

4.  Did you ever fill out a  university   application for a son or daughter ?   compose   his or her  university   application  essay?

5.  If you are present  when an authority figure asks your  teenage child  a question, might you answer it?

6.  All parents want  input into their childrens’  college choices,  while others  want to actually make the choice .  Are you one of the latter ?

7.   Will you only pay for college if your child majors in a field of which you approve  ?

No “yes” answers means you are unusual or have a short memory .  Two  affirmative   answers may put  you in the helicopter parent family.  More than  two affirmative  responses   leaves no  doubt that you are a velcro parent.

 Being a parent   is a difficult  undertaking for which most of us   get   minimum training.  No parent is immune to error .  The goal is not to be free of parenting mistakes but rather to avoid repeating them.