Can I Be A Helicopter Parent?

“Real protection means teaching children to manage risk independently, not shielding them from every hazard” Unknown.

Today, I took my daughter to a college readiness camp called Upward Bound, which equips high school students for college life. As I wheeled her luggage to the staff, she gave me a kiss, clutched her teddy bear, and reassured me with a “I’m okay, Mom, love you.” She then joined her friends and they all walked towards the dorms. Standing there, I started texting her to check if she had her nasal spray, strips, and allergy pills. She promptly replied, “Yes, Mom, please go, love you.” With a heavy heart, I made my way to the parking lot, got into my car, and drove off to my son’s workplace.

My 21-year-old son, Jay, is a community college student and also works at a burger restaurant. Recently, he’s been troubled by harassment from his supervisor, who is coincidentally his age. He comes home recounting his co-workers echoing her remarks about him. As a mother, my instinct has always been to leap into action at any sign of my children’s distress. I advised him to arrange a meeting with her to discuss his job performance and document the conversation. She reported no issues, only noting his reserved nature. I questioned him about this, as it didn’t seem problematic. Nonetheless, acting on parental instinct, I would drive to his workplace to check on him…