Do Helicopter Parents Get a Bad Rap?

I received an email this morning (below) from a mom who'd read the excerpt booklet.

Incidentally, when you're drowning and a helicopter shows up, you're thanking your lucky stars (right?).

I just read the excerpt and I’d swear that your son and my son are the same kid.  My son also diagnosed with ADHD, but high on impulse control, and we medicated him through 5thgrade but then stopped because he really didn’t like the way it made him feel and he had sleep issues.  So for middle school he has been trying to “control” it himself but he still gets a few detentions for stupid stuff like throwing a snowball during a fire drill.  He knows it is wrong but just doesn’t have that impulse filter right before he acts (yes, sort of like just being a boy).  Anyway, he is one who is fine getting C’s + D’s because during one of our many conferences with his teachers while they were telling me to stop being a helicopter parent and I should let him suffer the consequences of his own behavior and take responsibility for his work, yadda, yadda, yadda, they also decide to tell him that Middle School doesn’t really matter and he doesn’t have to worry about it until High School.  Arrrggghhh!  I could kill them!  Anyway, my daughter, who is a grade behind him (but 22 months younger) is the complete opposite and freaks out if there is a slight chance she might not make honor roll and is bummed because she has one B and that means she is just “regular” honor roll, not “high” honor roll.  She also asked me if she could stay home when we go to Mexico because she doesn’t want to miss 4 days of school!

 

I've received more than a few "that's my son" emails, just like this one.

For middle-school parents of boys out there, Ethan did grow up and mature, and he is flourishing in college. So rest assured -- things get better. Ethan is a different person today. (See book for my recipe.)

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Afternoon UPDATE:

Just heard from another mom/same story:

Congrats on your book. I can't wait to read it. I just read the blurb about the helicopter parent. C., an 11 yr old, has ADHD. I have been fighting all year for the teacher do some small things for him to stay on track. She keeps telling me that i should let him suffer the consequences...UGH. I am really worried about middle school next year. He is a smart kid who struggles so much in school.

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Check out the reviews on Goodreads  and Amazon.

You can also read an excerpt, listen to an  audio clip or "search inside" the book.

You can also find downloadable press materials on the Press Kit page.

 

 Illustrations by Jennifer Orkin Lewis.

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