Are you a lawnmower parent?
In all likelihood, if you aren't one now, you have been one in the past, or you will be one in the future.
What is a lawnmower parent?
Well, according to USA Today, a lawnmower parent is kind of like a helicopter parent, but almost one step further.
As we've been hearing for years, helicopter parents are those ones that are quite heavily involved in every single thing their children do. From homework to sports, they are right there, inserting themselves in every situation.
Now, lawnmower parents add on to that. Not only are they heavily involved, but they do all they can to "mow over" every obstacle or problem that their kid runs across in life.
I know, I know, you aren't "mowing over" all of their problems, you just help them because you care.
But, are you robbing them of valuable learning moments?
Justin Worsham of The Dad Podcast thinks you just might be.
"I get it. It is hard and seems counter intuitive to think that taking “too good of care” of your kids can make life harder for them and make them more prone to depression and issues with anxiety. Ironically, by giving so much, we have taken strength and adversity away from our kids. It makes people stronger."
To hear more of Justin's take on lawnmower parenting and how it impacts your kids, and other parenting topics, you can check out all of his stuff at The Dad Podcast
Check out his latest episode with Jeremy Schneider, author of Fatherhood in 40min Snapshots, as they talk about his book and raising twins.