Am I a Helicopter Mom?

[Anonymous]

AREN’T being jerks

[Anonymous]

Age totally changes the discussion. How old are the boys? 3 yrs old? Yes I would be all over that. 15 yrs old? no

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you guys would have freaked out when we went to rock quarries when we were kids.

You're all helicoptery.

Let your kids grow up. You can't save them from everything.

Rock quarries are dangerous Gramps. You have no idea what is underneath, large logs, debris, etc.

OP- my kids play travel sports and so the hotels often have pools. Parents take turns supervising/making sure the kids are being jerks to other families.

So sayeth a parent of the Weeniest Generation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you guys would have freaked out when we went to rock quarries when we were kids.

You're all helicoptery.

Let your kids grow up. You can't save them from everything.

We did that, too! And we jumped off the side. I almost drowned once when I hit the water wrong. Really bad idea in hindsight, but awesome memories!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you guys would have freaked out when we went to rock quarries when we were kids.

You're all helicoptery.

Let your kids grow up. You can't save them from everything.

In this situation I would be saving:

-us from getting kicked out of the hotel if they misbehave
-other adults who want to enjoy the amenities at the hotel from dealing with loud teenage boys

When was the last time you were around 8 unsupervised teenage boys? They tend to be really loud, and disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Are you all saying you wouldn’t let teenage boys go to the beach? This is so crazy to me. Aren’t they driving at 16?

[Anonymous]

This is such a stupid conversation. The age makes all the difference. Without that folks are just giving random opinions about nothing. So dumb

[Anonymous]

Honestly I'd keep tabs on them more because of the potential for them roughhousing and being disruptive to others in the pool, not because I'd be afraid of one of them drowning. Hotel pools are like 4 feet deep.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. My son and his friend are 11. His friend’s dad did come down after a bit, but once he saw me he waved and went back upstairs (which was fine). The other kids seemed to be a similar age, maybe a bit older (12-13).

As far as the other kids, I never saw anyone come check on them in the time we were there. I was more concerned about someone getting hurt and the kids panicking/not knowing what to do. I tried to melt in the background as much as I possibly could - I wasn’t trying to curb the play/fun in any way.

Thanks for the responses - I know age is relevant here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. My son and his friend are 11. His friend’s dad did come down after a bit, but once he saw me he waved and went back upstairs (which was fine). The other kids seemed to be a similar age, maybe a bit older (12-13).

As far as the other kids, I never saw anyone come check on them in the time we were there. I was more concerned about someone getting hurt and the kids panicking/not knowing what to do. I tried to melt in the background as much as I possibly could - I wasn’t trying to curb the play/fun in any way.

Thanks for the responses - I know age is relevant here.

Anyone in that situation should not be swimming alone, even an adult but not ok for an 11 year old to be swimming alone. The parents relied on you as the babysitter. They are wrong and you are right.

[Anonymous]

At 13, I'd be there. I'd read a book or swim laps or do whatever and stay out of their hair; I'd just be keeping an eye out in case one of them needed help, and to make sure that the horseplay didn't get out of hand. That's too young for them to be expected to handle an actual emergency without help, and you can drown in a hotel pool as easily as anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you guys would have freaked out when we went to rock quarries when we were kids.

You're all helicoptery.

Let your kids grow up. You can't save them from everything.

Rock quarries are dangerous Gramps. You have no idea what is underneath, large logs, debris, etc.

OP- my kids play travel sports and so the hotels often have pools. Parents take turns supervising/making sure the kids are being jerks to other families.

So sayeth a parent of the Weeniest Generation.

Every generation thinks the next one is the weeniest. Big deal.

[Anonymous]

My own kids, I'd let them go on their own (10 and 13) - I wouldn't leave them if they had friends with them that I wasn't sure were ok with that. But sounds like the parents maybe just left anyway?

Honestly I'd probably stay just to make sure they weren't being obnoxious to other guests in the pool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not let my kid go alone. If they do something stupid, you could get thrown out. I just take a book and hang out in the hot tub, or sneak a coffee cup of wine in and sit on a deck chair.

+1

That's what I would be more concerned with. Teenage boys rough house and can be loud and honestly obnoxious to other adults. I am sure they would be better behaved with you there.

Yes, with 8 boys, I’d be worried about chicken and other dumb games.

This. Stupidity grows exponentially with the addition of every teen boy. With 8, there is no telling what idiotic ideas they may mutually reinforce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are weird people at hotel's You do not know what anyone's agenda is who might be around your child or the other children. All it takes is one to lure them upstairs and it is over. There are so many places to disappear at in a hotel. Not a helicopter Mom.

+1

+100

I didn't not like my tween walking hotel hallways alone or running playing tag.