مقالات

The term “helicopter parent” has been around for a long time – as far back as the 1960s, but it didn’t really come into the spotlight until recently. It is most often used in relation to students in secondary school, but an overinvolved parent can be present at any stage of a child’s life. The simplest way to define a helicopter parent is as someone who (literally) hovers over their child and cannot help but micromanage their life. Some may do more so than others, but the idea remains the same. Although the classic helicopter parent stereotype didn’t become popular until relatively recently, UAE secondary schools have already seen their fair share. And what they see isn’t exactly helping students succeed.

Wondering if maybe you’re a helicopter parent? It is a good idea to assess your parenting style and check for behaviors that may be consistent with helicopter parenting. Some of these behaviors include doing your child’s work for them or helping them to the point where they do not figure out the answers themselves, giving them little space to make their own friends or choose activities, expecting constant high academic achievement, and making decisions for them when they are old enough to decide themselves. Some things are okay to involve yourself in, such as if your child is being bullied, if they are having a hard time coping with life changes, becoming involved in other parent groups at the school, or if they need a little extra encouragement getting their homework started. But if your child is at a UAE secondary school, they should already be able to do most things independently.

In fact, studies have shown that helicopter parenting can actually have a negative impact on children. It not only lowers their self-esteem, it also sets them up for hardship in the future when they’ll find they have fewer life skills than their peers. Aside from this, it teaches them that rules can be bent in their favor, which means a rude awakening is waiting when they are on their own in the real world. Instead of trying to control their children’s lives, parents should put their trust in them. If they fail or make mistakes, teach them to try again. UAE secondary schools can be a competitive and sometimes stressful environment, so allow children the space to excel in what they are passionate about instead of what you think they should do. Let them face the consequences of their actions so they can grow, and support and guide them when they make decisions about their future. At the Sharjah’s American School of Creative Science, we work with both parents and teachers to create an atmosphere of collaboration so that your child feels confident in their own skill, and you always remain a part of your child’s success.

For more information on your child’s needs in a UAE secondary school, please contact us