Theres been a lot in the media about helicopter parenting lately. We read about it in newspapers and its a theme running through a new Australian television drama. We all know its wrong, that the end result of being overly protective can result in narcissistic children that lack resiliency and the ability to adapt in an adult world. But it can be incredibly difficult to let go and allow our children the freedom that we had when we were young.
We were able to discover the great outdoors freely, gathering packs of friends to make hideaways wherever we could find a tree. We roamed the wild streets unreservedly, rode bikes without helmets and had no way to contact our parents if we needed them. So why do we shield our own children from this freedom, knowing that were creating risks for them later in life?
Research is now showing that many more university students lack the ability to make decisions and live independently than ever before. They dont have the work ethic that their parents had, preferring to change jobs rather than put in the effort. They quit rather than challenge themselves to improve at work or home. They can suffer anxiety, depression and vulnerabilities that their more resilient friends avoid.
So within reason, we have to let our children make decisions for themselves, fight their own battles and make do without our assistance. And when theyre teenagers, we must allow them some of the freedoms that we had ourselves. Its difficult allowing our children to negotiate their own paths; but in the long run, its absolutely necessary that we do.
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Guest Post written by Karina Reyne, co-partner of Handmade Emporium, the hip handmade marketplace. Check out the best of handmade at Handmade Emporium
