Helicopter Parenting Has Reached New Heights
Title: The Downside of Parent-Run Businesses for College Students Who Live Far From Home
In recent months, a concerning new trend has emerged in the realm of parenting: moms starting businesses to cater to their college-age kids, particularly those studying far from home. While the intention behind this may be to provide support, it often reinforces the damaging cycle of helicopter parenting. While I admire their business acumen, and ability to spot a problem and offer a solution, ladies, this is not the way to go! In this blog post, we'll delve into the drawbacks of such parental interventions and why are doing more harm than good.
The Problem with Mom-Run Businesses for College Students
Parents who open businesses to cater to kids who are far from home believe they are offering essential support. Common examples include laundry services, party planning, making spa appointments, aiding with gym memberships, making travel arrangements, assisting with summer storage, and so much more, which are exclusively tailored to students. However, this approach unintentionally perpetuates unhealthy dependence and stifles personal growth. I don’t say that it can inhibit personal growth, it does! This is insanity and needs to stop if we want to raise young adults who can make it in the world. Here are just a few ways that it stifles any growth whatsoever:
1. Lack of Independence:
College is crucial for young adults to develop essential life skills, including managing finances, making responsible choices, and solving problems. In fact, I would say that problem-solving and learning to figure things out is a huge part of the whole college experience. Why else do we send our kids away to college? When parents provide every convenience, they inadvertently hinder their children from learning how to navigate the real world on their own. These businesses are a crutch, preventing students from gaining the independence they need. This is robbing our children and must stop!
2. Missed Opportunities for Growth:
Adversity and challenges are part of the college experience. Facing difficulties helps students build resilience and problem-solving skills. By swooping in with parent-run businesses, parents might shield their children from these valuable learning experiences, ultimately hindering their personal and emotional growth. I believe that you gain a lot academically, especially during those late-night intellectual conversations amongst peers, but the adulting is as big a part of the college experience as the academic.
3. Reinforcing Helicopter Parenting:
Helicopter parenting, characterized by excessive control and involvement in a child's life, has been linked to anxiety, lower self-esteem, and a reduced ability to handle stress. Parent-run businesses are just another manifestation of this problematic parenting style. Instead of fostering self-sufficiency, they maintain a culture of dependence and infantilization.
Embracing a Healthier Approach to Parenting
Rather than starting businesses for their college-age children, parents can support them in ways that encourage independence and personal development. Encourage open communication, provide guidance when asked, and let your children take the reins of their own lives. Trusting them to make choices and learn from their mistakes is essential for their growth and success. Let’s not be the director in the movie script. Our children are the main actors, and their parents are the best supporting role models. We are there to support and encourage our children, not run their lives.
In conclusion, while the impulse to help our college-age children is natural, it's crucial to recognize that parent-run businesses for kids in college, far from home, are not the best way to support them. Helicopter parenting, in any form, hinders rather than empowers our kids. Instead, let's strive for a more balanced approach that fosters independence, self-reliance, and personal growth, ultimately preparing our children to thrive in the real world. If we continue down this pathetic path, our kids will never learn. They won’t grow. They won’t be independent. And nothing good will come from this. I strongly encourage parents to cut the cord!
