<p>Interestingly, some of the kids who frequent the parent’s forum, specifically to get that advice are the ones who like to claim to have done it all without parental assistance, and yet…all of those kids have particular parents on the forum who DO specifically support them, in particular. They must be unconsciously wise enough to see the value of parental input, even if not from thier own gaurdians.</p>
<p>I believe, too, that there is an actual correlation between the graduation rate and having parents who have also graduated from college, for whatever reason. Not to mention the fact that school systems frequently cite parental involvement as THE highest indicator of student academic success. </p>
<p>It’s a silly deragatory term and it allows the very beneficiaries of parental involvement to complain about the same. I was always extremely grateful to all the mommy CEO’s who ran the PTO and whatnot. I know my kids benefitted tremendously from all of their time and work. None of these things happen without parental assistance, including the 50,000 per year tuition payments, or the co-signed loans, which keep the price of college so prohibitively high.</p>
<p>“Why is it called “mentoring” when you do it for other people’s kids and “helicoptoring” when it’s your own?”</p>
<p>Interesting point. I am just that on my son’s EC. The exact word…Mentor. There are many of us that serve different roles. All are needed to make the group work as it’s pretty involved. Last week a mother called me with her daughter in tears, could her daughter talk to me in confidence? She was confused and concerned about they dynamics of some relationships w/i the group. I listened, validated her feelings, helped her define what was really bothering her, what should be ‘let go’, and what she needed to address so she felt positive about her experience this season. I encouraged her not to confront other students, but go directly to the coach and ask for advise. I said her approach would be seen as mature and be respected, she would be surprised how empowered she would feel by being proactive in a constructive way.</p>
<p>I was honored that she choose to come to me, she trusted that I would not judge her, not break her confidence, and give her the best advise I could. I believe this is because I do hover…maybe in a different way. During breaks, I sit on tables, talk about their days, ask about a teacher everyone detests. I am not their parent. I travel with these kids, get the meds when they are sick, fuss at them when they are out of line, and cheer louder than anyone. I may spend time hovering at my son’s EC, but it’s more than being there for my son. Someone is going to be spending those 20hrs/week with those kids…do I want someone else to get that time with my son? If that makes me a 'copter mom… so be it.</p>
I can so relate.</p>