Hovering can be smothering

IN RESPONSE to "For some, helicopter parenting delivers benefits," I do not agree that this type of parenting is good or healthy for children. I am a college student, and it would drive me crazy if my mother was hovering over me. I think it would affect my ability to be independent if I had to consult her before I made any decision or relied on her financially.

How are children expected to act independently if their parents are so vigorously supporting them? Such children would be constantly in need of some sort of assistance. How can they go into the real world and survive? It seems a bit much for a child and parent to be talking on the phone every day.

It is important to have a parent-child relationship, but this does not mean parents need to hover over their child's every move. Parents need to support their children, but give little assistance. A parent's job should be to prepare children for failure and success so that they can function when adulthood arrives.

Amberlee Miller
Poultney, Vt.