Helicopter moms

Question

Have you ever had the misfortune of running into one, or better yet, the bigger misfortune of having one? If you don't know what a helicopter mom is, they're the moms who will constantly tell you how great her son/daughter is, how he/she scored 800+ on the GMAT, and how H/S/W begged her kid to come to their school. If you have a helicopter mom, well, she will actually expect all those things from you, or you will have failed as her son/daughter. Fortunately, I don't have one of those moms.

LB20 · Answer

I just love the phrase "helicopter moms" because they're "always hovering". Teeheehee.

Okay I'm a little loopy this morning.

FrigginConfused · Answer

Yea, and they shoot little pellets of guilt trips at you.

coaks · Answer

Like owls?

3underscore · Answer

Having a helicopter mom cannot be the worst - typically I see it as a sign that the candidate isn't mature or ascertive enough for business school as they have not been able to tell said parent to step tf out, or alternatively - maybe even do the whole thing on their own call?

I have had to deal with a great number of helicopter mom's giving tours of schools, and they are without fail annoying to deal with. Asking really bad questions, muttering stuff under their breath, talking during the presentations... the fact that they obsess in their childs outstanding mediocrity is the least annoying factor.

Aenigma · Answer

OMG. I freaking loved owl pellets when I was a kid in day camp. Judge me if you must. I care not.

Wait, really? I've heard of helicopter parents for undergrads but I never imagined they are still gadding about by the time the 'wee ones' get to business school. Sheesh. Sorry you've had to deal with that.

I think some helicopter parents are sincerely motivated by a desire to provide the best for their children, but it's seriously misguided. More often I read it as "too much time on their hands," "feeling guilty," or "living vicariously."

unplugged · Answer

Errr...

Boeing Dads any one...??

shana22 · Answer

Where do delusional grandparents fit in?

When I told my grandmother that I didn’t get into MIT last year, she replied, “that’s because they didn’t read your application,” as if it were a fact. Clearly her shana22 can do no wrong.

It must be nice to be able to create your own reality!

milias · Answer

Most grandparents are fine. They get all the good stuff without having to deal with the bad stuff when it comes to grandkids. I think your grandma was probably just being nice and didn't want to hurt your feelings. She sounds like she's real proud of ya, kiddo.

lsmba · Answer

My parents didn't know I'd applied until I had finished the process and let them know via email... one of the guys who I helped with essays got into his top choice school, and then his parents berated him for not applying to MIT and Harvard and demanded he apply in R2

He said no. I'd argue that helicopter parents are almost as much blessing as a curse. I've been making my own choices since I was 12, and as a result I'd say didn't push myself hard enough in high school and college, didn't have someone guiding/counseling me on school/class/career choices, and made plenty of poor decisions as a result. IE: I don't think I've lived up to my potential in the last decade or so, even with the success I've enjoyed. Helicopter parents *can* be a blessing. While operating with no parent or mentor input might indicate "maturity and independence", you lose out on experience, guidance, and a cheerleading/slavedriving team

Anyhow. My $.02. I know there are horror stories of helicopter parents, but at times I really wish I had someone that cared that much about my life choices and career.

Helicopter moms

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