You may have heard of the “helicopter” parent. They are the type of parent that kind of hovers around their child, almost overly involved in their child’s life. But recently I heard a new term be used, the “Velcro” parent. This parent sticks to their child like Velcro. I was having a conversation with another parent about teens applying for jobs. I had told him a funny story about my oldest son and he made the comment that some teens not only have their parents fill out their job applications but come with them to their job interviews. Now I … Continue reading →

It’s the final stretch before summer vacation for my children, just one week left and I have mixed feelings. A part of me is ready to get it over with. No more waking kids up early, rushing out the door and making sure things haven’t been forgotten. No more rushing from one school to the next and then back out the door a few hours later to pick up. No more “Have you done your homework yet?” or checking grades online. No more emails to teachers or parent/teacher conferences. But then I think about the fact that it also means … Continue reading →

Have you ever known a parent, or perhaps you are this type of parent, who constantly makes excuses for their child? I know I have been guilty of doing this at times. Sometimes it’s the old, “He’s just tired” or “She doesn’t feel well” kind of excuses. But other times it’s someone else’s fault and their child is never to blame. I can’t tell you the number of news stories I have seen where parents have excused, justified or attempted to blame someone else when their child has done something wrong. A fight at school or on the bus, a … Continue reading →

Do you know someone who parents out of fear? Perhaps you are that type of person. My mother was somewhat like that in her parenting. She would make some of her decisions based on what “might” happen. The world was a dangerous place (which is true to a degree) and so she tried to avoid my becoming a victim. The problem was that she never allowed me to really grow up the way I should have. In fact, when I met my husband I didn’t know how to cook or even how to drive. It took my husband teaching my … Continue reading →

Have you ever regretted being a parent? You might be gasping right now at the audacity to ask such a question, but I can’t help it. I saw a Dr. Phil show this past week where a woman felt this way. She said that she felt like running away sometimes and hates being a wife and mom. What are her reasons for such feelings? She doesn’t receive enough help from her husband, who feels that his job is to provide and her job is to take care of the family. Oh by the way, she also worked full-time. I think … Continue reading →