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Helicopter parenting refers to a style of parenting where parents are highly involved in their child’s life. The term is taken from the idea of a helicopter that is constantly hovering overhead, ready to swoop in at any moment.
Helicopter parents are just exactly that. They are always present and always vigilant in their children’s lives.
However, their intense focus can negatively impact a child’s mental health, self-image, coping skills, and more. These parents often take too much responsibility for their children’s experiences, successes, or failures. Despite their intentions, their actions have negative consequences on the child's ability to navigate life's struggles.
Signs of helicopter parenting include constantly monitoring a child's activities, making decisions for them, and not allowing them to experience failure or disappointment. These parents may also struggle to set boundaries and have difficulty letting go as their children grows older.
Recognizing helicopter parenting involves spotting certain behaviors, such as:
A helicopter mom would feel the urge to constantly shadow her child, fearing that something terrible might happen to them. As a result, she does not allow her child to be on their own.
Many helicopter parents become over-involved in their children’s academic life and social environment. These parents would often select which teacher their child should have at school, which friends they should play with, or activities to join.
A helicopter parent tends to get over-involved in everything that concerns their children's decisions and academic life. These parents also shield their children from failure or disappointment.
Many helicopter parents think they are good parents because getting over-involved in their child’s life also offers some benefits—which is correct to a certain extent. However, their over-parenting approach can have negative consequences that may persist as their children grow into adults.
Here are some of the pros and cons of helicopter parenting:
A helicopter parent may negatively impact a child’s life by turning them into adult children. Adult children refer to individuals who have reached adulthood but still have a deep relationship or dependence on their parents.
Here are some of the negative repercussions of over-parenting on children growing up:
Adult children of a cosseting parent may develop self-image problems due to the constant criticism, high expectations, and lack of autonomy they experienced growing up. As a result, they may struggle with low self-esteem and confidence when they become adults.
As adults, they may experience independence issues because they have not been allowed to develop essential life skills. Among the important life skills that they may be lacking include decision-making and problem-solving skills, among others.
They may also have limited peer interaction even as adults because their parents have been overly involved in their social lives. This can lead to a lack of social skills and confidence in social situations.
As adult children may feel pressured to meet parental expectations and avoid disappointment, they often feel stressed and anxious. This compels some of them to turn to illicit substance abuse as a coping mechanism and a means of relieving emotional strain.
Several peer-reviewed studies have highlighted the impact of helicopter parenting on various aspects of children’s lives and how they are linked to substance abuse. Some of these studies include:
Avoiding helicopter parenting involves striking a balance between support and independence. Here are some tips:
Promote Independence
Set Boundaries
Teach Problem-Solving Skills
Foster Resilience
Encourage Open Communication
Model Healthy Behavior
Transcend Recovery Community offers support and guidance for parents seeking a balance between care and independence. Our experienced staff provides evidence-based advice, emphasizing healthy boundaries and fostering children’s growth.
If you’re interested in receiving help, contact us to find out how our sober living and outpatient programs can benefit you. You may also check out our Frequently Asked Questions section to learn more about how we conduct some of our operations.
Marijuana has many nicknames due to the fact that different cultures and regions have their own special names for it, influenced by their culture. For example, in India, marijuana was called “ganja,” while “mota” is used in Spanish-speaking countries.
The other factors that led to the creation of the street names for marijuana are as follows:
In places where marijuana use is illegal, people often use slang terms to discuss it without attracting attention from law enforcement. This has led to the creation of many different names for the drug.
Marijuana comes in many forms (e.g., dried leaves, hashish, oil) and can be used in various ways (e.g., smoking, vaping, edibles). Each form and method of use can have its own set of slang terms.
Some terms are created as a form of creative expression or humor. For example, “Mary Jane” is a play based on the Spanish word for marijuana, “marihuana.”
Slang terms can also serve as a form of code among people who smoke pot. This helps them communicate about smoking marijuana discreetly.
The following terms are recent slang terms for weed and have been recorded in the years after WWII:
A special strain of marijuana imported from Acapulco, Mexico that was defined as having a browning gold color by the Oxford English Dictionary. It was first recorded in the mid-1960s in the US.
This is a term for a potent strain of marijuana that is known for giving users a sensation of euphoria or “flying", as well as hallucinations. It’s named after the idea that using it can make you feel like you’re soaring in the sky.
This term is used to describe another particular potent strain of marijuana. The name “Atom Bomb” suggests a strong and immediate effect, similar to the explosion of an atomic bomb.
This name is used to describe a joint that has been rolled with a particularly potent strain of marijuana. The word “amp” is short for “amplified,” which suggests that the effects of the marijuana in the joint are stronger than usual.
The following are some of the older yet common street names for marijuana used during the pre-WWII era:
In the 1930s, U.S. law enforcement referred to pot as “giggle smoke.” Government authorities sought to prohibit what they perceived as a dangerous drug.
This term describes marijuana cigarettes. The term gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s.
This word was popular among joint users in the 1920s. The term’s popularity caught on and continued into the mid-20th century.
Though unclear, the term salt and pepper became an expression for marijuana sometime during the 1940s.
The name is a reference to Mezz Mezzrow, a jazz musician and a notable figure in the cannabis culture in the 1920s.
Back in the early 1920s, Mary Warner was the more common pseudo-translation for marijuana, as opposed to today’s Mary Jane, which is the personification of the word marijuana.
The term is believed to be a compound term used to refer to pot. “Grass” is a commonly used slang term for marijuana, while “dope” is used to denote any type of drug.
Marijuana’s popularity in street culture has been influenced by several factors, such as popular media, which often led to the perception as “cool” or “rebellious.” Over time, societal attitudes toward weed have become more accepting, particularly among younger generations. Peer pressure also plays a significant role in the initiation and continuation of marijuana use in street culture, which often leads to abuse and addiction.
Transcend offers support and resources for individuals struggling with marijuana addiction. Their programs are designed to help individuals overcome drug addiction and lead healthier lives. Visit Transcend Recovery Community to learn more about their services and how they can support your journey to recovery.