The Overprotective Parent

 

As teachers, we often see the "helicopter parents." You know the type. They are the first ones to volunteer, they make sure that their child has whatever they need, and they know everything about the classroom, including your lesson plans, schedule, and upcoming events. Sure, this just sounds like an involved parent but believe me when I tell you that it can go too far.... way too far. 

Over the years, I have had plenty of "helicopter parents." One year, I had a fourth grader named Brian. He was a great kid; smart, a hockey player, and just a good kid overall. The problem was his mother. She insisted on following him into the classroom, unpacking his backpack, putting things away, and then asking him if he needed the bathroom or anything else. This went on until November....really, it did. Even when I would tell her that she was not to come in the classroom, she still did it. 

Brian had to deal with the looks from the other kids, the comments that he was a baby, etc. When his mother would be in the classroom, Brian's face would get red, and he would look visibly upset. I knew I had to take control over this, no matter what mom said. It was getting way out of hand and the situation was becoming worse than ever.

So, one morning, I waited at the door. Sure enough, here comes Brian and his mother. I say good morning to Brian and tell him to go to his desk and get ready for the day. Mom starts to push her way past me until I physically stopped her. I escorted her out into the hallway and told her that her son was embarrassed by her hovering over him in the morning. That even though he was her little boy, she had to let go and start to build his independence. I then told her that the other kids in the classroom were teasing him and that it was really making him feel like a baby. I reminded her that he was in 4th grade now and he was no longer a baby. 

It was hard to have to confront that parent. But after that morning, she finally figured it out and no longer followed her son into the classroom. He had a much happier rest of the year. 

It's these situations that they don't tell you about in college. Not only do you have to teach, create lessons, and manage your classroom; you also have to be a negotiator, phycologist, and friend.