Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 07:13     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:Two types of helicopter parents.

The good kind who are gradually pulling back but still helping their special needs kids through the journey of life.

The bad kind who are vicariously looking for a second chance at success in life by trying again as their kids constant surrogate.

Unfortunately the bad kind outnumber the good kind at least 5 to 1 in every university setting.

The worst ones accompany there kids to job interviews.


Are you saying they sit next to their kid during the actual job interview? Really? Everything in this culture is 'do it alone' whether that be go to a job interview alone or wherever else (fill in the blank). But what's wrong with a parent (or friend) accompanying them to an interview for moral support (waiting in the car or office lobby) or to park the car while their kid (or friend) goes in?
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 07:07     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just look at the parent fb groups for almost any college. Helicopter parents are everywhere. But that's not a reason for your child to avoid a school -- they aren't interacting with parents.


This. That’s where you’ll see such critical questions posed like

HOW MANY WASHCLOTHS ARE YOU SENDING WITH YOUR KID? IM THINKING SIX.

HOW MANY BRITTA FILTER PITCHERS CAN FIT INTO A DORM FRIDGE? IS IT OK IF THEY JUST SHARE ONE AND REFILL IT MORE FREQUENTLY?

Yes, these are two real posts I saw in FB groups. That I ended up leaving.


Just because parents ask these inane questions doesn’t mean their kids want or accept their help. They will try to force the washcloths and the kids will either not pack them or just not use them. They are highly anxious parents but that doesn’t say much about how their kids actually function.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 07:03     Subject: Helicopter parents
Two types of helicopter parents.

The good kind who are gradually pulling back but still helping their special needs kids through the journey of life.

The bad kind who are vicariously looking for a second chance at success in life by trying again as their kids constant surrogate.

Unfortunately the bad kind outnumber the good kind at least 5 to 1 in every university setting.

The worst ones accompany there kids to job interviews.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:41     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:All ivies except Cornell. They are like ants at the rest - the heavily curated experiences the parents manufactured for the kids to get into the ivies shifts over to targeting IB or MBB internships


Ah- not at all. My kid is at one. We didn’t even have it on our radar. He applied senior year on a whim- not a “manifactured” kid,

It’s the opposite. These kids are all
Very independent with some wild backgrounds. My kid has been abroad sophomore year and summer internships overseas. I have zero idea what goes on there.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:35     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:Bad news for many of you--it continues in law school. Sigh.

--law prof


Oh geez. Do share stories
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:34     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just look at the parent fb groups for almost any college. Helicopter parents are everywhere. But that's not a reason for your child to avoid a school -- they aren't interacting with parents.


This. That’s where you’ll see such critical questions posed like

HOW MANY WASHCLOTHS ARE YOU SENDING WITH YOUR KID? IM THINKING SIX.

HOW MANY BRITTA FILTER PITCHERS CAN FIT INTO A DORM FRIDGE? IS IT OK IF THEY JUST SHARE ONE AND REFILL IT MORE FREQUENTLY?

Yes, these are two real posts I saw in FB groups. That I ended up leaving.


How many filter pitchers can fit in one of those mini fridge btw? And where do students go to have water filtered via the britta? There's no sink in the dorm rooms at least not in most rooms.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:34     Subject: Helicopter parents
Bad news for many of you--it continues in law school. Sigh.

--law prof
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:30     Subject: Helicopter parents
There are also the posts asking for recommendations for cleaning and laundry services.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:28     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:All ivies except Cornell. They are like ants at the rest - the heavily curated experiences the parents manufactured for the kids to get into the ivies shifts over to targeting IB or MBB internships

🤣 Is your face green with envy?
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 23:21     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:Just look at the parent fb groups for almost any college. Helicopter parents are everywhere. But that's not a reason for your child to avoid a school -- they aren't interacting with parents.


This. That’s where you’ll see such critical questions posed like

HOW MANY WASHCLOTHS ARE YOU SENDING WITH YOUR KID? IM THINKING SIX.

HOW MANY BRITTA FILTER PITCHERS CAN FIT INTO A DORM FRIDGE? IS IT OK IF THEY JUST SHARE ONE AND REFILL IT MORE FREQUENTLY?

Yes, these are two real posts I saw in FB groups. That I ended up leaving.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 21:00     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:All ivies except Cornell. They are like ants at the rest - the heavily curated experiences the parents manufactured for the kids to get into the ivies shifts over to targeting IB or MBB internships


parasites
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 20:50     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think there are many definitions of helicopter parents, and sometimes very good reasons why they would hover.

I don't use social media, so unless you're one of my best friends, you wouldn't realize I'm a helicopter parent to my ASD/ADHD college kid. I feel no guilt or shame - quite the contrary. It's my duty to monitor from afar.


Jesus Christ.


No need to name names, and in any event, four separate accounts state he didn't have any kids, so couldn't have been a helicopter parent.

On the other hand, Mary likely was a helicopter parent. Heck, she always told Jesus he was God's gift to the world.


Oh, look. It's the person who hasn't actually read the Bible. Jesus didn't see family the way you do. Matthew 12:48-50

You might be taking the comment a little too seriously.


Yes. -DP
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 20:37     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think there are many definitions of helicopter parents, and sometimes very good reasons why they would hover.

I don't use social media, so unless you're one of my best friends, you wouldn't realize I'm a helicopter parent to my ASD/ADHD college kid. I feel no guilt or shame - quite the contrary. It's my duty to monitor from afar.


Jesus Christ.


No need to name names, and in any event, four separate accounts state he didn't have any kids, so couldn't have been a helicopter parent.

On the other hand, Mary likely was a helicopter parent. Heck, she always told Jesus he was God's gift to the world.


Oh, look. It's the person who hasn't actually read the Bible. Jesus didn't see family the way you do. Matthew 12:48-50

You might be taking the comment a little too seriously.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 19:36     Subject: Helicopter parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think there are many definitions of helicopter parents, and sometimes very good reasons why they would hover.

I don't use social media, so unless you're one of my best friends, you wouldn't realize I'm a helicopter parent to my ASD/ADHD college kid. I feel no guilt or shame - quite the contrary. It's my duty to monitor from afar.


Jesus Christ.


No need to name names, and in any event, four separate accounts state he didn't have any kids, so couldn't have been a helicopter parent.

On the other hand, Mary likely was a helicopter parent. Heck, she always told Jesus he was God's gift to the world.


Oh, look. It's the person who hasn't actually read the Bible. Jesus didn't see family the way you do. Matthew 12:48-50
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 19:21     Subject: Helicopter parents
For parents of non-special needs students: have your kids told you if they have seen/interacted with helicopter parents while at college? Is Larla's mom from a few miles away or several hundred miles away constantly doing xyz?