Velcro is a hook and loop fastener which sticks things together. It also has become a popular term for describing a certain kind of over-protective parent. The other term used to describe such parents is helicopter parent. The term drone is also used. I was curious about the phenomenon as I don't recall that Nancy or I were that over-protective with our children. My research indicates that hovering came into vogue with the advent of smartphones. Texting and apps make keeping in touch with your children very easy to do. Having said that, it is very easy to be too involved. That is not good for your child, and her school will not appreciate your velcro tendencies. There has to be a balance between hands-on involvement and a hands-off approach. So, let's approach the issue from that perspective. We will look at how this applies to each grade level as your children progress through their schools.
Pre-school
I was one of those lucky fathers who got to drive his daughters to their pre-schools. In those days back in the 70s, I was on the staff of a large Episcopal church on Long Island. Our house was about 2 miles from my eldest daughter's pre-school. The pre-school was located in the Sunday School classroom wing of the church. In fact, the school had just been established because there was such a strong demand for pre-schools in that south shore community.
Literally, the two of us would get out of the car and enter the front door of the church complex. She would walk off eagerly down the hall to her classroom. We waved good-bye to each other. That was it. I did not see her or hear from her until noon when the morning session finished. The teachers and headmistress all knew me. They knew I was in the building. But I rarely heard from them. Occasionally I would see the children playing outside or sneak in to watch a rehearsal in the auditorium. The most I ever got from my daughter was a smile. She was focused on whatever her class was doing. So, yes, I was not a velcro parent back then. Nor was I ever an over-protective parent. It never made sense to us to be over-protective parents. We were engaged parents, but we trusted both our daughters and the schools to which we entrusted their education.
Elementary school
The elementary school years require more parental engagement for two reasons. The first reason has to do with our children beginning to interact socially on a regular basis. As toddlers, you can pretty much put them in one place and let them play. As children get older, they wander further afield in all sorts of ways. We always hoped that our daughters' classmates would come from homes like ours where the parents were actively engaged with their children all the time. You and I both know that some parents let television or handheld devices raise their children these days. Back then we only had television to contend with. We controlled TV watching strictly. Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers were favorites. Cartoons on a Saturday morning for an hour or two. Otherwise, we read to our children and encouraged them to read.
Middle school
The middle school years presented concerns for the first time. We would hear reports of so-and-so doing this or saying that and the teacher not approving. That would provide an opportunity for us to discuss handling those awkward situations which are part of everyday life. That to me is the most effective antidote to being a velcro parent. Taking time to show your children how to deal with situations logically and in accordance with their own value systems is an essential part of being a good parent. Yes, they may not get it right the first time, but after a while, they will know what to do and say. However, if you jump in and control the situation directly, your children will never learn. Obviously, I am not talking about life-threatening or mission-critical scenarios. Jump in with both feet when those arise. Have serious discussions and even do a bit of role-playing as needed. The difference between being a velcro parent and an engaged parent is that we have to allow our children to make mistakes. After all, that's how we learned.
High school
Having taught middle school and high school, there were many times I wish that I had been born with an extra set of eyes and ears. There was so much to watch out for. Where were their friends parents? Should we allow our children to drive with a teen-age driver? What about curfews? We earnestly hoped and prayed that the lessons which we had been teaching our children since infancy would stick. Most of the time our children made the right choices and decisions. Sometimes we held our breath while awaiting a good outcome. Occasionally we lowered the boom and said that such and such was unacceptable. There would be a bit of blowback, a few tears, but a few hours later things were back to normal.
The secret to avoiding the temptation to be a velcro parent when you have high-school age children is to try very hard not to be judgmental. You have to let the reins go and remind them that they are responsible and accountable for their words and actions.
Most private day and boarding schools expect parents to be involved with their children's education. If being a chaperone will relax your worries and concerns about what your child's classmates are like, then get involved. For more serious concerns, arrange a conference with your child's teacher (or teachers). Meeting face to face and discussing your concerns will usually resolve the issues. But if , despite your best efforts, you cannot resolve your concerns, then you must exercise the option which all of us parents have, namely, to look for another school for the next academic year. Don't fret about doing that. Finding the school which is the best fit for your child is something which takes time. Your child's happiness is at stake, as you know full well.
One of our Presidents said it aptly: "Trust but verify." Do that with your children at every stage of their growth and you will avoid being a velcro parent.
Questions? Contact me via Twitter. @privateschl
