Many people are familiar with the term “helicopter parenting,” in which parents become overly involved in their children’s lives in an attempt to ensure their safety and success. However, according to research from the American Psychological Association, parents who exercise excessive control may be doing more harm than good for their children, depriving them of the ability to cope with professional challenges and environments as they enter adulthood.
So, what is the alternative for parents who want to prepare their children for the best possible outcome? Enter “benevolent neglect”: a parenting style that fosters independence in children. It is essentially “the opposite of ‘helicopter parenting,'” as the “hands-off” approach gives children “the space to identify, harness and gain confidence in their own strengths,” Gigi Schweikert, who has more than 30 years of experience in early childhood. childhood education and is CEO of Lightbridge Academy, he says Entrepreneur.
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