Considered as a key factor for undermining the development of resilience and independence among children, helicopter parenting or overparenting is one of the most controversial methods of child rearing. Since several studies have shown that helicopter parenting causes more harm than good in child raising, experts said this parenting style needs to end.
The Negative Effects Of Helicopter Parenting
Aside from being a culprit in hampering the development of autonomy in children, helicopter parenting has also been worsening a child's mental health and school performance in the K-12 years. In fact, severe cases of helicopter parenting often lead to children suffering from being emotionally inhibited, anxiety, depression and too much dependence.
"If we continue to overparent our kids, we are in danger of raising further generations of adolescents that are missing three key virtues of character: self-reliance, self-confidence, and resilience," psychiatrist and author Abilash Gopal wrote, as previously quoted.
Submarine Parenting Vs. Helicopter Parenting
Fortunately, experts have found a way to counteract the effects of helicopter parenting in child raising through submarine parenting. According to Northeastern University behavioral science lead faculty Dr. Kristin Lee Costa, though hovering a child is understandable, it is also vital for their growth and development to have a "healthy blend of realism."
"No one wants their kids to deal with difficulty," Costa said, as per Northeastern News. "But we want them to have a healthy blend of realism. The idea that everyone gets a trophy is nice in theory but it's not reality. Kids should know that and that it is possible to celebrate risk, mistake, and hardship."
Costa's statements also echoed the thoughts of Jaci Conry of Boston Globe about helicopter and submarine parenting. Conry wrote that the mentality of helicopter parenting was triggered by a parent's fear or anxiety when raising a child.
Hovering at play dates and intervening at school, however, could lead your kids for more difficult years to come, sending a clear sign that they can't live without their parents. Luckily, there's an alternative to helicopter parenting - submarine parenting.
What Is Submarine Parenting?
Deemed as a new and realistic middle ground for helicopter and free-range parenting, submarine parenting means allowing your kids to confront daily challenges in life without the dramatic involvement of overbearing parents. It can also be described simply as "keeping a hidden eye" on your kid's development without letting parental anxieties to swoop in, Romper notes.
Why Submarine Parenting Is A Solution To Helicopter Parenting?
Submarine parenting is currently the latest buzzword when it comes to effective parenting styles. This new breed of submarine parents didn't let their fears and anxiety rule their parenting approach by allowing their kids to experience success or failure on their own, Chicago Tribune learns.
So, how can submarine parenting resolve the issues in helicopter parenting? Through practicing "parenting with intention," submarine parents empower their kids to work their way out of problems, daily challenges and decision-making issues, Huffington Post reports.
Since children are given the space they need to succeed or fail on their own, submarine parenting creates children that are self-reliant, confident and resilient who are not afraid to explore the world on their own and who's capable of discovering new things without depending on others.
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