10 Parenting Moves That Can Have Negative Effects

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Helicopter parenting is a term that describes a style of parenting where parents are overly involved in their children’s lives, often to the point of being controlling and micromanaging. This type of parenting can have negative effects on a child’s development, leading to a lack of independence, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills. In an online thread, people shared their worst examples of helicopter parenting they have ever seen. Here are some of the most shocking stories.

1. “The GPS Tracker Mom”

One commenter shared a story about a mother who installed a GPS tracker on her college-aged son’s car without his knowledge. The mother would constantly call her son to ask where he was and what he was doing, and would even show up unannounced to check on him. This level of intrusion is not only invasive but can also lead to strained relationships and trust issues between parent and child.

2. “The Homework-Completing Dad”

Another commenter shared a story about a father who would complete his son’s homework for him. The father believed that his son’s schoolwork was too difficult for him to complete on his own and would spend hours completing it himself. This type of parenting not only deprives the child of the opportunity to learn and develop their own problem-solving skills but also sends a message that the child is not capable of succeeding on their own.

3. “The Overprotective Mom”

One commenter shared a story about a mother who would not let her child play on the playground without being right next to them, holding their hand the entire time. This level of overprotectiveness can lead to a lack of independence and self-confidence in the child. Children need the opportunity to explore and take risks, which helps them develop important life skills such as problem-solving and decision-making.

4. “The Competitive Dad”

Another commenter shared a story about a father who would constantly push his son to be the best at everything. The father would sign his son up for multiple extracurricular activities and sports teams, often scheduling them back to back, leaving his son with little time to rest or pursue his own interests. This type of parenting can lead to burnout, stress, and even resentment towards the parent.

5. “The Micro-Managing Mom”

One commenter shared a story about a mother who would go to her daughter’s job interviews with her and answer questions on her behalf. The mother believed that her daughter was not capable of speaking for herself and would often interject during interviews. This type of parenting can have serious consequences in the child’s future, as they may struggle to advocate for themselves in their personal and professional lives.

6. “The Accommodating Mom”

One commenter shared a story about a mother who would constantly make excuses for her child’s poor behavior. When her child acted out in public, the mother would blame it on the child’s ADHD and would ask others to be more understanding. This type of parenting not only enables negative behavior but also sends a message to the child that they are not responsible for their actions.

7. “The Overbearing Dad”

Another commenter shared a story about a father who would insist on going on job interviews with his adult son. The father would ask all of the questions and even negotiate salary and benefits on his son’s behalf. This level of intrusion not only undermines the son’s independence and ability to advocate for himself but also sends a message to potential employers that the son is not capable of speaking for himself.

8. “The Monitoring Mom”

One commenter shared a story about a mother who would constantly monitor her teenage daughter’s social media accounts. The mother would read every post and comment, and would even respond to her daughter’s friends as if she were her daughter. This level of intrusion not only invades the daughter’s privacy but also sends a message to her that she is not capable of making her own decisions and having her own life.

9. “The Controlling Dad”

Another commenter shared a story about a father who would constantly dictate what his children could and could not eat. The father would only allow his children to eat certain foods and would constantly criticize them for their food choices. This type of parenting not only undermines the children’s autonomy but also sends a message that they cannot be trusted to make their own choices.

10. “The Overprotective Mom, Part 2”

One commenter shared a story about a mother who would not let her adult daughter travel alone, even to visit family members. The mother believed that her daughter was not capable of traveling on her own and would insist on accompanying her. This level of overprotectiveness not only invades the daughter’s independence but also sends a message that she is not capable of taking care of herself.