Absolutely, children need to face challenges and learn to overcome them. Additionally, well meaning adults, even strangers, will coddle a child who is learning to do things on their own without realizing the harm they might do.

For example, when my son was first attending the Ottoson Middle School, we wanted him to walk to school. He has an August birth month and so he had just turned 11 years old when sixth grade started. We showed him the way, did dry runs and walked varying distances alongside so that he knew the safe places to cross, the best route and where to stop to call us if he had any trouble.

We also told him not to talk to strangers, that an adult would not ask a child who was alone for help. No sooner was he walking alone to school before some neighbor down the street, who is frankly creepy to me, tried to engage him in conversation; commenting on his long walk to school, almost to the point of "grooming" my son to treat him as a trusted adult. Other adults would offer him rides since the distance was so great or the weather was so cold or stormy or something.

These misguided adults didn't realize that they were causing harm by tempting our child to ignore the safety rules we had set. Worse, they were sending the message that walking to school was a burden that needed comment, assistance or criticism.

So please, don't help my kid unless their safety is in danger.

Great article, today there's too many helicopter parents that get too involved in helpingh their kids...It's sad because most of these kids won't be able to think on their own too feet. They'll be looking for mommy and daddy at 21.

WA is chock full of students that ave mommies helicopter hovering over them at all times, might help earn them 4.0s but. 'Life' is going to kick these kids in the nads when mom isn't there to cut their food into small bites!
And some wonder why our kids are falling behind more independent kids in other countries! No such thing it seems as students taking both credit AND blame for their learning on their own....didn't do well on a project? Get mom to complain to the teacher for a retake, no wonder grade inflation is rampant here there and everywhere

Very dangerous Stephen, I'll pray for your child's safety and for you to open your eyes and start watching the news, ever heard of kidnapping????

Also, how is your son going to call you if he is in trouble, that is child abuse and neglect, putting your child in a very dangerous situation Stephen, my heart hurts for your child!!!!

Ever heard of Jaycee Duggard, Elizabeth Smart, Polly Klass, Adam Walsh?????

These helicopter children will do just fine our colleges , now all called universities will and have lower their admission standards

Bingo, one helicopter mom identified.

@Brenda - you are the epitome of what this article is about. Your mindset has no doubt caused your children to grow up afraid of life. One day they will have to move out of your basement.

My one and only son is 5 yrs old, I will proudly let him live with us as he is our one and only and proudly sport the title of helicopter mom before I will make him a statistic or put his life in danger, my son is very well rounded and very well loved!!!

With all due respect, he's already destined to be a statistic.

Why, because he's kept safe and secure, he is a model student with great manners and has more common sense than most adults. He shouldn't ever want to leave home, has his own room, platoon/gameroom, his own bathroom and will be going to Disney World for a 3rd time in June.

He plays basketball, soccer, and t ball and is active in our church youth group, he wants to be a dentist when he grows up!!!

Yep, and because he'll never know what failure is like, and will be unable to handle challenges in the real world because mommy was always there to wipe his butt for him when he pooped himself.

Not fake at all, he plays sports through our youth sports association, my best friend is the dental hygienist that cleans his teeth so he loves going to the dentist. He will be 6 in April and is our one and only so he is very spoiled but in a good way:) I don't pop out more kids than I can afford, I'm a nurse myself and my hubby works full-time too, so he has become well rounded, his kindergarten teachers are quite amazed, and yes, he does have way more intelligence than most adults!!!

What is so funny Stephen, I will truly pray for your child.

Adults are kidnapped everyday!!! As long as there is breath in my body, I will do everything to help and protect my child, no matter how old he is!!!! The end, no time for ignorance, going to finish watching the news!!

What's beautiful is that I will never, ever fear losing my job to any of these children.

Ken, I'm sure your kids will grow up to be compassionate and well rounded too, we will keep an extra eye out for Diana's kids,!!

If an 11-year old shouldn't be allowed to walk to school alone, then at what age should they be allowed to walk somewhere alone? I worry about the kids who are protected until they are 18, and then sent out into the world. An 11-year old starts to learn how to be in the world safely by having limited experiences like walking to school. He is expected to take a specific route, arrive somewhere on time, and repeat the process at the end of the day. (And yes, I am the mother of two young children.)

"Helping kids at the playground'? i dont even understand that. I do know about "helicoper parenting'...but helping other kids at the playground makes no sence to me...call me crazy.

We all need to hope that Brenda is a fake and is stringing everyone along. Otherwise we will be reading about her little cherub committing some sort of heinous crime in the future.

Nope, not a fake at all, proud to be Joseph's loving mommy, when he is alive and well and safe, I'll be praying for you all as I read and or watch your kids become victims of this evil society we live in. Do any of you ever watch America's Most Wanted, John Walsh's son Adam was kidnapped from a Sears store in broad daylight 10 ft from his mama, and this was back in 1981, they later found his body, John Walsh stresses safety and protection for our kids, and PollyKlass was abducted right from her friend's bedroom at a sleepover back in 1993, you all can trust society all you want but I'm not, my one and only is far too precious to me. And Mr Jeffords, you just can't fix stupid can we ole fart!!!!

Open your eyes Kathleen, do you see what kind of world we are living in, people think nothing of snatching a child, torturing and killing them, no thanks I'll helicopter my son anyday, thump thump thump away I go sicko

Child snatchings are incredibly rare events. Your child is more likely to die in a car accident. Does that mean you don't go anywhere in a car?

Diana, watch Nancy Grace, 21 yr old women fall victims too, I love my baby too much, he's 5 and already has more sense than most of. you!!!

Rare?? Keep on thinking care bear mentality, there are Ted Bundys on every street corner that love parents like yall,, yes we do go many places by car but we are flying to Disney World for the 3rd time in June, because we didn't have more kids than we can afford. Best regards,from our terrific family of 3.

I agree whole heartily! Kids are becoming too dependent on others to do anything these days. I pushed and pushed my son to make sure he knew how to ride a bike without training wheels, and tie his own shoes at a young age. Some of these simple and overlooked tasks are crucial to a child's esteem and growth (mentally).

And you are a weirdo psycho Steevo!!

No way man, I don't stress and worry over psychos, I dodge them, protect my child from them and lock my doors!!!

Then you shouldn't read or watch media stories, you don't know how to digest it. Ted Bundy on every street corner?... there's your justification and delusion.

;). I really think "brenda" is trolling...and doing a very good job of it too, based on the reactions she/he is getting.

> Do any of you ever watch America's Most Wanted, John Walsh's son
> Adam was kidnapped from a Sears store in broad daylight 10 ft from
> his mama, and this was back in 1981, they later found his body,
> John Walsh stresses safety and protection for our kids,

Maybe a non-sequitor here, but does anybody else find it troubling that
John Walsh turned his son's abduction into his own multi-million dollar
media career?

Brenda, their's no doubt that your a great Mother.. But I equate you to an overly exposed hemroid .. Sometimes in the road of life, its best to take the exit of irrelevance !!

Brenda, your son no doubt needs you at this tender age, however, you seem to take helicopter parenting to a new level. Your son will grow up to most likely resent all the cosseted treatment you have given him. While you are free to parent your little Joesph in any manner you wish, I believe your statements to Stephen, and Diana regarding raising their children is disgusting. Every parent is free to raise their children in any manner they see fit, but you are in no position to imply they are parenting incorrectly. Diana's daughter is 21 years old and a functioning member of our society, Stephen's son is a young man clearly given the tools to think independently. I believe that your almost six years of being a parent equates to a drop in the bucket to what Stephen and Diana have experienced.

Brenda, after reading your posts I have to throw my two cents in. I think you really need to take a step back and realize that everyone parents in their own way, whats right for you and your family is not right for others. Personally, I never would have been this obnoxious with my own kids. I believe in giving kids room to grow, by that I mean they need to be given some wiggle room to make mistakes. There are NOT kidnappers and 'Ted Bundy's' on every street corner, I think it's far more common now for a father or mother to beat and kill there own kid then a serial kidnapper. I'm not an expert, but I've raised two kids who even with my flawed personality have turned up to be pretty damn fine young adults. We tend to parent the exact opposite of how our own parents parented us. So being as over opinionated as you are, I'd have to venture that your mother or father may have been a kidnapper, Ted Bundy, or overpopulated the earth.

Okay re read everything. Brenda you're not a Ted Bundy type, just one of those holier then thou church goers that spouts bible passages and prays for everyone's kids...well here's a bible passage for you: do not judge, lest thou be judged. Wait...here's one more: people who live in glasses houses etc.

10/10 trolling effort, "brenda" Bravo.

The article is overblown . Maybe it is that way in the cushy suburbs with the green lawns, and the mommy taxis. Not here in the city. Kids fetch for themselves, don't have money to join soccer leagues , no allowances, hand-me downs and no one gets a trophy even if they win, never mind a $5 hamburg at burger King. This and the comments are dreamland coming from the lawn mower and SUV set. Golf anyone? i'll call ahead for tee times.

Hey let's ease up on people we feel are "helicopter" parents. I could easily be called a helicopter dad. Yeah. I'll let my sons climb the ladder on the slide but you bet I'm standing at the bottom of the slide in case he falls.
And if, as an adult, either of my boys needed a place to live, you bet they could stay with me.
These days, both are in college and doing fine. But they know I'm a phone call away if they need anything or just need to talk.
My philosophy is that children walk a tightrope in their lives ... Parents are the net.
So let's all ease up and try to respect each others' parenting philosophies.
The meanness and name-calling does not set a good example for any of our children.

Brenda, and her lovely family of three are going to Disney World again! How lucky, and logical she is to not have more children because she cannot afford it. She is most likely a troll judging by her constant style changes in her replies, but in the event that she actually is a living breathing helicopter parent, I am glad she only has one child to coddle into a weak, submissive person. Way to go Brenda!

I'm sure we all realize the issue is not really the helicopter parent, it is the Helicopter Government. Liberal vs Conservative. Do we want the government to take care of us, or do we want to take care of ourselves.

Wow! The Patch hit counters must really be spinning! What a formula! Publish an over-the-top article, watch the comments degenerate into a name-calling free-for-all, then post the same story on additional sites to stir up more disdain! The only things missing are the detergent commercials!! I'm particularly amused by the little editorial warning: "stop it or else!" The joke's on those of us that come here looking for local stories and relevant discussion. No such luck.

A kid ain't a kid until he's ingested 4lbs of dirt, a gallon of sea water and at least 8 stitches...by age 11.After that? There on there own. The world will turn, either your kid turns out to be a little snot of a teenager or a good solid kid, it's up to you. However we're counting on you to choose the latter.
And keep him away from Annie's house!
OK You hoverer s, pick yourselves of the floor.

The media, the damage they can do is so great to the non-analytical mind. Imagine if they started reporting with intensity every single car accident, people would stop driving. Or every single infected paper cut, kids would go back to slates and chalk. Then they can exaggerate asthma and dust injuries from inhaling chalk dust, and they'll go back to paper and pencil.

Honestly. A handful of cases out of how many billions of children in this country?? When I was 12, my friends and I regularly walked to the mall, to school, to the convenience store, and parks and playgrounds.

And yes, please don't help my child on the slide, either. Or offer them a ride. Or hover at the bus stop because YOUR non-developmentally delayed 11 year old can't handle a 2 block walk home without mommy wiping his nose and holding his hand. Some people have *real* parenting challenges, far beyond scheduling their child's entire life. Get a hobby. Eventually they grow up and you're going to have to let THEM live it. :)

And if you need any more proof of what a 9 year old - or any other child - CAN do, watch this:
http://youtu.be/ouhURNLsnjo

WHY??? was my comment rejected ... never said anything to offend anyone at all. Please reply.

Just toss the LiL Critters outside for Crypsake.Over protective doesn't do the kiddo's good at all. I wish I had a dime for every bump on the head I got when I was a kid.

11 years old, that is more than fine to be walking to school alone. For Christ Sakes he is about 6th grade. Breanda, you are better be prepared for a Momma's boy. Really strange do you still tuck him in at 11. At 11 my kids were walking to school and out riding bikes and playing. You going to create a whiney little brat.

@ Apple.. We used to walk home in the first grade from the ol Linden School all the way up to the Linden Highlands and that included stopping off at the store to get a candy bar.

Oh Yeah Amber me too. The penny candies was awesome too. A 3 Musketeer was like a half pound to us. Every Kid starting at the 3d grade carried a pocket knife no biggie. Boy scout knives to carve wood and make sling shots. Yup bag of Malted Milk Balls,a new jack knife,a bottle of Yahoo and your good to go. Yup at 9 years old all us kids would get the Broadway Bus to Everett Station..To Charlestown Boys Club. We were all just 9 yrs old. Oh the bus ride was only 5 cents with a transferr for the train. But in a way I can see what Brenda is feeling. Its a Jungle out there. Or maybe its allways been and we didnt know it. With the Tele and the Computer and hearing all the harm done to kids Im glad mine are all grown up.

I agree with the original story not to hover over the kids when in the playground etc. but I think walking alone is a different subject. I think 11 yrs old is too young to walk alone. It's not that the kids aren't capable, it's the strangers I worry about. The kids don't have the physical strength at that age against an adult. They would be safer in a group. I think the training given to those that do walk alone is good general knowledge to have when dealing with nice strangers. I'm sure the parents of abducted children trained them about strangers. I also know parents that feel it's very important to have their kids walk alone to teach them independence but they don't teach independence in other areas. They buy their kids all the latest high tech phones and gadgets because the other kids have them. They buy them not 1 but all of the video game systems out there and all of the expensive games that go with them. They don't teach their kids the value of money and how to save it for the luxury items that they want. It's handed to them. This is a very important lesson towards being a productive independent adult as well. I see so few parents teaching this lesson but I do think everyone is allowed to have their perspective on raising their kids. I don't let my kids walk alone but they do have to save for the extra things they want to buy.

Between the ages of 10 and 14, we were racing homemade go-carts down dangerous streets - no helmets or pads, we fished & cleaned our own fish, squirrel hunting & target shooting with .22's, shooting each other with BB guns, throwing apples at cars and being chased. Lots of sports. Walked to school starting 2nd grade - all weather no rides, often chased by a viscious dog. Other things I'm embarrased to mention. Small caliber guns but no booze, drugs or video games. No one was ever kidnapped. I would hate to be an urban/suburban kid today.

I love this article. I didn't read all of the posts here because I feel it was getting so off topic. I'd like to return to the original article and say that I think children should be allowed to use their own bodies to work at whatever their capabilities are. Thanks for sharing this with our Patch. I would love to see more of the parents at Livingston St practicing some of these concepts this spring and summer. Our kids need to discover and learn for themselves. They need not to be lifted to the top of the slide and "taught" how to play but to be given the space and allowed to explore their capabilities. This doesn't mean allowing them to fall on their heads, but it does mean letting them do what they can and letting them feel the pride of doing for themselves. If you are so worried about injury and harm then limit their space to areas you are comfortable where they are in charge of themselves.

MPLO ... what fun you had that kids today are missing. I never see any children out playing on or around my street and I miss hearing them. Seems to have changed only in the last 15 or so years and it's a shame ... I don't know how they learn to interact with their peers or what they call fun anymore. There really is something to be said for "the good old days."

Thanks, Anna! We did have quite a bit of fun, while growing up. In the winters, on weekends, we'd go sledding or use our flying saucers (the round aluminum saucers that were really cool!) in our back yards, and in the spring, we'd walk through the meadow and around the swamp that existed behind our community (which has long been built into both a small swimming pond, with a boating pond alongside it!), and the bike-riding was great.

Things really have changed a great deal, not so much because of the dangers, but because kids are so into their computers, video games and cell-phones, and text messaging, not to mention tons of other electronic gadgets that kids have so much access to these days. Interacting with peers online is not the same kind of experience as interacting with peers in person while playing outside, or even doing stuff together.

One of the best decisions we made for our son was having him commute from Winchester to BC High in Dorchester. His confidence grew ten-fold as he mastered the commuter rail and T. Yes, I was nervous that first month; but how can we expect our children to mature if we do not allow them this freedom? And the conversations about his daily commute have been fascinating. He has a far greater understanding about the real world now as well as increased compassion for his fellow man.

this is Typical 'Liberal behaviour' sickness that 'one' over-reacts consistently in the "prediction of Calamity", and 'fear mongering' without justification. Overly intervening in the lives of other people for their own personal need to feel secure and safe while maintaining to provide these Catastrophic Conclusions All While under the possible discretionary use of Dr. Prescribed medication. -and of course, the alltering effects in the use of 'Koolaid'. -Mind your OWN Business, and Keep away from My kids. Now a days There are ''Know-it-all's" everywhere with overly exessive information, and unpaid student loans. - keep yourselves Busy and go paint a barn.