Finally research has validated my desire (and indeed my action) to be involved in my son’s life. You see I am a bit of a helicopter mum and it’s something that I have no shame admitting to, I’m rather proud of the fact. In fact, I’m pretty certain that if you met my son you’d understand my pride – but back to the research….
A new report launched by the federal School Education Minister, Peter Garrett highlighted the importance of parents becoming actively involved in their child's learning. In fact the report states that taking an active role your child's education, getting involved with the school and the ultimate shocker – encouraging learning in the home, has a huge positive effects on your child's wellbeing, academic achievement, whether they stay in school and whether they go on to uni.
While the report draws the line at overly-demanding parenting, which it says can have negative effects, it remains really good news for us helicopter parents.
I am a helicopter parent. I want my son to know that, not only am I there whenever he needs me, but I am really interested in what he is doing.
I did three years of reading groups at school when I knew it meant something to him, I served on the Parents and Friends Committee because I knew it meant something to him that I took such a big interest in his school and because I really was interested in what was happening with him at school – a place where he spends much more awake time than at home.
I know that this may be frowned upon in some parenting circles – hovering (or as I like to call it “being around”) is not considered the strong suit in raising independent children but I see it differently. Children are children for such a short time, we spend a lot more time being adults and having to shoulder all the responsibility of the world. Surely there is some time in our lives that we can be free of care.
I’ve never understood the fascination with trying to make my child independent when he’s only 11 and still a child. I really don’t care that some 11 year old children in rural remote areas are looking after their homes and joining the army – we live in Sydney, it’s very unlikely he’s going to have to move out soon. I’ve never understood why it’s seen as a big deal to spend time at his school or doing homework with him. He is confident, he is secure, he has an amazing (and large) circle of friends and he’s breezing through his classes.