Stupid Helicopter Parent Tricks

[ICStupidPeople]

So I'm at the advising office yesterday to get my paperwork for graduation (you have to meet with an advisor before you can get the paperwork to make sure you meet the requirements).

Anywho, there was a mother of a freshman in there wanting to discuss her daughter's schedule with an advisor because her daughter didn't get all of the classes she wanted. Umm, maybe if her GROWN daughter had signed up early enough for them, she may have. But this woman was upset that they wouldn't discuss her daughter's schedule with her because her daughter was an adult (18), so they said her daughter would need to come discuss it herself.

At what point did it become ok for parents to go to a college campus and discuss what classes their child would take with advisors? (it wasn't allowed, but this woman thought it should be, as her daughter was in class at the time and didn't have time to "waste" in advising) Sorry, I don't have time to waste in advising either, (I could be on SGT), but it's a neccessary evil of being in school.

I would be mortified if my mother showed up at my campus to complain about my schedule; hell, I would have freaked if she tried it in high school many years ago. I guess back in my day, we were raised to take care of ourselves...we also walked to and from school both ways in the snow with no shoes..uphill

seriously though, is this the new "norm" in parenting to never cut the apron strings?

[vixen101485]

Apparantly it tranverses all ages. I had the joy of attending a parent orientation for my DD4's pre-school last nite. First off I felt like I was in a room of 30- 40 zombies. Never had a seen a group that size so quiet. I swear I was the only one awake. "Any Questions...." A total of 4--2 were mine.

Anyway on to the clingy mom. The teacher takes everyone who wanted to across the street to tour the classrooms. Meeting was in the church. Now you would think if you are going to pay to send your kid to a pre-school you would have at least seen the classroom breifly prior. I think I was the only one that did. Yet again the room of zombies have taken over. SIGH, OK, I will break the ice. "oh teacher, did you you paint the alcove, it looks like a different shade of white?" Teacher answers. Silence, again. Let's all stand around and look stupid. Granted the teacher should have been a little more hostess like"here's the play area, here's the eating area, etc." but she is very nice and naturally quiet person. But I digress. The only comment was from one dad who wanted to know if they would help his son wipe himself because he didnt know how yet. (these are 4 and 5 yr olds)

Ok, everyone getting ready to leave, one lady asks teacher if she can talk to her. I am still in the room at this point. She is out in the hallway and as I come out she says something about vacation. That got me excited, and I did that mom to mom gentle arm touch and said "cool we are going on vacation too, how neat" I never saw someone flinch and drive herself into a corner like that before. Strange. Well to get to the point, they are going on vacation the 1st week of school (no big --its preschool and my DD is missing the 2nd week) Since her DD has never been away from her she wanted to know if it was ok for her to stay for the classes UNTIL she got used to being there. (that could be months) Teacher told her not a good idea. I suggested MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) program at a local church that I occasionally take my DD to which happens to fall on an off day of the preschool. Explained to her that they are only down the hall in the MOPS program while the moms socialize on their own. Quote/unquote "I dont know if she could handle that" WHY ON THIS GOD"S GREEN EARTH, are you paying $100 bucks a month to send your kid to pre school? Keep her butt home so she doesnt bug the other kids. YAY, the little whiner is gonna be in my DD's class.
I feel bad for this little girl because she (and her mom) will be the ones in your office someday demanding that Mom be allowed to live in her dorm room with her because she cant handle it on her own. BTW, as far as I know the child has no special needs either.

OK, I am done venting now. :D: It did coresspond to the OP...LOL

[BRWombat]

At what point did it become ok for parents to go to a college campus and discuss what classes their child would take with advisors? ...
seriously though, is this the new "norm" in parenting to never cut the apron strings?

No way of knowing, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if daughter is mortified and is "busy" in "class" just to avoid mom. I and most of my friends were like you, ICSP (though I can think of a one notable exception).

[ICStupidPeople]

No way of knowing, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if daughter is mortified and is "busy" in "class" just to avoid mom. I and most of my friends were like you, ICSP (though I can think of a one notable exception).

It amazes me at the number of kids who just don't give a shit anymore. They sit there and text message or email during class, and I find that beyond disrepectful. I couldn't even imagine.

These kids are happy with being mediocre because daddy or mommy will be able to get them into the company they work for once they get their degree. They just need to pass. WTF?

I guess I'm just old school where you actually have to work for and earn a position in a company. It upsets me that I have worked my arse off for a 3.892 gpa, yet some lazy, entiltled brat would get a position ahead of me due to association.

Sorry, just venting.

[hobie16]

I remember taking my daughter to her first day of kindergarten. Say hi to the teacher, schmooze with a few other parents, etc. The teacher says it's time to start class and I'm heading back to the car thinking, "Free at last, God Almighty, free at last!"

There was a mother down the street that was so freaked out by not being with her kids every waking moment so she would go back to the school every break and lunch period and watch them through the fence. I was surprised she didn't get busted for stalking.

[DisneyMom]

My View is that many "parents" are totally unable to tell their kids, " No ". They will knock out themselves and anyone/ anything who gets in the way of their darling children's desires....I weep for the future!

[Meltissa]

My cousin and his wife are total helicopter parents. They will not let their 7 year old son do anything without one of them being there. It got bad enough that their son one day turned to his mom and said "Why do you always have to be here? I can never do anything without you by my side"

[darph nader]

Can you say "Paris and Nichole"?...Sure you can.

[ktulu]

I guess I'm just old school where you actually have to work for and earn a position in a company. It upsets me that I have worked my arse off for a 3.892 gpa, yet some lazy, entiltled brat would get a position ahead of me due to association.

All you need to do is mention you shave your kitty and I think you're in...

[Switchbeam 9]

LOL. When I went to school, I made sure it was pretty far from the rest of my family. Not that I have the type of parents to do anything like that anyhow. For about a year, they didn't even know what my majors were.

Some of my profs in the past have brought up things about parents showing up at their office, absolutely livid about grades. Hell, one of the reasons I want to teach college/uni level is because of the parents that school teachers have to put up with. In addition, the standardized tests that they have to strictly teach to. However, as a college-level teacher, I can just laugh at them.

Some of it is a cultural thing, largely with Asians. But for most cases, it is just sad.