The Cop Out Quiz: Hello, Helio-Mom?
Think you might be hovering over your kids a tad too much? Take this quick quiz to see if you are a helicopter parent by answering "yes" or "no" to the following:
Do you...
(1) ..."help” your second grader with her dinosaur diorama by casting and hand-painting a dozen anatomically correct, to-scale plaster models of Tyrannosaurus Rex and friends?
(2) ...describe a Baby Einstein video as a “compelling film?”
(3) ...send your teenaged son on the ski team overnight with clip-on mittens?
(4) ...suggest your middle schooler’s civic textbook as the next selection for your book group?
(5) ...feng shui your Freshman’s dorm room?
(6) ...request that your fifth grader’s desk be moved away from the window and “out of the draft?”
(7) ...nametape your 14-year-old daughter’s shoelaces?
(8) ...cut the crusts off your six-foot-tall son’s submarine sandwiches?
(9) ...reply ”we almost have our essay done” when asked about your high school senior’s college plans?
(10) ...order the Little League T-shirt in a larger size for yourself? And you wear it to all the games? To which you bring homemade chocolate chip cookies for the coach?
If you answered “yes” to three or less of the above, there’s still hope for you to have a healthy relationship with what’s-their-names – you know, your kids.
If you answered “yes” to five of the above, consider seeking professional help before you come down for a crash landing.
If you answered “yes” to seven or more of the above, it may be time for you to surgically detach yourself from your offspring.
Comments
I just discovered your insightful blog. You capture the parent/child connection beautifully- makes one think as well as laugh.
Can you tell me which Little Leaague team has the parent who brings homemade cookies? I'd like to sign up my son for that team so I'll actually look forward to those endless practices!
