"Helicopter Parents" tied to their kids' depression

[Anonymous]

I work at a daycare at an office building. We're run like every other daycare in the country, with weekly plans and newsletters and PTA and all that - the only difference is we're based on the ground floor of the building, so it's easy for parents to drop off their kids at the beginning of the day and collect them in the evening, so most our charges come from the employees here.

We have one mother and father who both work here who constantly come in and check on their kid. The girl's been going here almost two years, is perfectly happy and used to us. The dad just drops in at around 11am every single day. Just comes in, sort of looks around, goes, 'Are you having fun, L?' and leaves. And then the mother literally stands by the glass doors, sort of to the side, so we can't really see her, inches the door open and eavesdrop. It drives me insane. We're very accommodating of parents wanting to check on the kids when they first start or when there are problems, the lines of communication could only be clearer if we all actually lived together, and yet this couple... ugh.

And this poor L is micromanaged so badly. She's almost four and she has no autonomy whatsoever from her parents. They don't let her dress herself for fear she'll be cold (like, if she doesn't tuck her shirt into her pants). Until about this year she couldn't even choose what colour pen to use because things are always chosen for her at home.

Anyway: helicopter parents - bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this the first time we're hearing that your child's mental illness can be a result of your parenting style, or lack of, for that matter?

Excellent question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the first time we're hearing that your child's mental illness can be a result of your parenting style, or lack of, for that matter?

Excellent question.

And I think parents and nannies can all agree a child’s future mental/emotional health can absolutely be a result of parenting choices.

Whether parents choose to admit it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the first time we're hearing that your child's mental illness can be a result of your parenting style, or lack of, for that matter?

Excellent question.

And I think parents and nannies can all agree a child’s future mental/emotional health can absolutely be a result of parenting choices.

Whether parents choose to admit it or not.

Mothers never choose to admit it.