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'Helicopter parents' still hover even as grads pound pavement
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070705/news_1n5parents.html ^ | July 5, 2007 | Eleanor Yang Su

Posted on 07/05/2007 3:20:53 PM PDT by DogByte6RER

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To: kittymyrib
On the other hand, perhaps parents who have sunk over $100K into their child’s education expect the university to have given the student some marketable skill which will give them a decent return on their investment.

A good parent teachers their kid from Kindergarten on, that THEY are solely responsible for their education. Parents and teachers can assist, but ultimately it is up to them.

21 posted on 07/05/2007 5:09:11 PM PDT by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
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To: DogByte6RER
Four percent reported parents accompanying their children to job interviews.

If I were the one doing the hiring, that would be an automatic disqualifier. Employers need adults to do grown-up jobs. If you're hiring for a fast food place (or some other minimum wage position), that's another matter.

22 posted on 07/05/2007 5:15:37 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: kittymyrib
Many universities should be sued for failing to deliver their end of the bargain.

In some cases...but far more common: it is not the university's fault that dear little susie chooses to major in art history and can't find a job upon graduation.
23 posted on 07/05/2007 5:19:12 PM PDT by newguy357
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To: MeanWestTexan
How is this any different that the dad who eases his son (or daughter or whatever) into the family business?

The family owns the family business and is entitled to use whatever stupid policies they want in hiring and promoting. Another business, however, would be foolish to hire someone who is so dependent (for any serious job, anyway).

24 posted on 07/05/2007 5:20:16 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: JoeGar
Whenever I received a resume from a parent on behalf of his/her child, it immediately went into the circular file.

Seems like it would make more sense to choose what to do with the kid's resume based upon the performance of the parent. If it's a stellar employee hire the kid. If not so stellar.... Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
25 posted on 07/05/2007 5:22:44 PM PDT by newguy357
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To: luckystarmom

You are awesome! Of course you will do right by your little girl. When the time comes, keep the “Americans with Disabilities” act in mind. Who knows, she may turn out to be a whiz at computer programming, or other jobs that don’t require her to speak well.

My son is 19, and has suffered from the effects of parental alienation, getting hit by a car, and some other things. He’s 60 credits behind for a HS diploma. He does have mechanical aptitude, however. A transmission shop opened up here recently, and we’re hoping they can use a kid to do clean up. He could learn by watching the other mechanics, and move on up the food chain.

We’re down to one vehicle, and live in a remote area, so it isn’t easy to get him to work. This would be perfect, God willing.

My 12 yr old wants to go to culinary school. She refuses the notion of becoming fluent in Spanish, or taking computer classes for a fallback position. She’ll come around when she’s older :)


26 posted on 07/05/2007 5:27:17 PM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (Head Caterer for the FIRM)
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To: TheSpottedOwl
My son is going to apply for a job tomorrow, whether he likes it or not, and his “step dad” is driving him. We’re “empty refrigerator” parents ;)

My own dad helped motivate me when I was still in college. I stayed out late one night and he chewed me out for it being too late. I told him that I had no school and no work that morning, and he responded with "As long as you live under my roof, you live by my rules.".

Two weeks later, I was sharing a house with two friends, and paying for my own college. It wasn't fun to be poor, but it was good to be independent, and I had chosen that route for myself. :-)

27 posted on 07/05/2007 5:27:31 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: gcruse

That would be one of my first questions, but it said her job choices were between Google and Cisco Systems, so I would assume that she went for Computer Science or at least some type of IT.


28 posted on 07/05/2007 5:29:20 PM PDT by billakay
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To: newguy357
Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

That's not true at all. Many children of wealthy, successful people have been coddled to the point when they are worth nothing at all. Children of bums often find the motivation to make a very different life for themselves.

29 posted on 07/05/2007 5:30:40 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: DogByte6RER
I can't totally blame the parents. IF any of the kids' college profs aren't society-hating commies, what kind of career advice would they give the kid?

"BE A COLLEGE PROFESSOR LIKE ME..!"

Hey, that's really STUPID advice...! I'd also wager that most profs would sooner try 2 get in your kid's pants than help them with their lives...

30 posted on 07/05/2007 5:37:19 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: MeanWestTexan

[How is this any different that the dad who eases his son (or daughter or whatever) into the family business?]

I worked for Motorola in the eighties. I was there when Galvin Jr. (the third generation after Paul Galvin and Bob Galvin) was ‘put to work’. He was being groomed for the ultimate job of “head honcho”.

I listened to him wax eloquent and my impression was that grandpa started the business, daddy make it very profitable and Jr. would drive it into the ground!

Dead on!


31 posted on 07/05/2007 6:37:21 PM PDT by dbacks (I forgot to pay the rent on my tagline.)
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To: DogByte6RER
Thats pretty much the next question I had ... “Where does it stop?”

I have to say If i found out a parent was interfering in the interview process or God forbid called me directly ... the likelihood they would get the job would be very very low. Doesnt look good at all for the individual as far as Im concerned.

32 posted on 07/05/2007 8:56:20 PM PDT by SilentWarrior2
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To: dfwgator

I think you are correct for most kids, but not for a special needs kid.

Kids just don’t know what is right for them, and it is up to us parents to make sure they are educated.

Kids don’t know what their weaknesses are. Heck, we had to take my daughter to a neuropsychologist to find out what was going on with her. Everyone agreed she had speech issues, but we knew something else was up with her.

Now, that we have the information it’s up to my husband and I to see that my daughter is educated the correct way.

My daughter cannot remember things she hears (less than 1% on auditory memory). We have to stay on top of her teachers to make sure they help her learn.

We’ll have to do the same thing when she is in college.

The big thing is just knowing if she is understanding or not. If she isn’t, then she may need extra help.


33 posted on 07/05/2007 9:42:26 PM PDT by luckystarmom
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To: luckystarmom
I think you are correct for most kids, but not for a special needs kid.

I would agree with that.

34 posted on 07/05/2007 11:02:55 PM PDT by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
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To: altura

Maybe it’s time to find something else to do? ;-)

I think hovering parents can cause resentment in their relationship with their grown children. When kids reach 18, they are adults, and parents should treat them as such. Sure they might need some coaching and emotional support for a while, but the relationship should transition to more of a friendship, with both parties on equal ground. If the relationship never makes that transition, it becomes unhealthy and unhelpful. Just watch “Everybody Loves Raymond” to see what unhealthy dynamics can develop!

I wonder if this generation of parents are hovering because they have made their children the center of the universe in their lives? Of course children are a priority. But I am wondering if making the children all-important, at the expense of the parents’ relationship and the parents’ own lives and interests, makes it hard for these parents to “let go”? Once the kids are gone, perhaps these parents don’t know what to do with themselves. Maybe they don’t know who they are apart from being a father or mother?


35 posted on 07/06/2007 9:20:09 AM PDT by Abigail Adams
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To: Abigail Adams

I think as long as the parents are footing the bill, then the parents have a right to do as they please.

Some kids are ready at 18 to be adults, and some kids aren’t.

Now, if the kids are footing the bill, then the parents don’t have a right to do anything.

At 18, my parents were paying for my college, and if I wanted them to continue that then I had to do what they said. At 23, I got my first real job, and then I was on my own. I’ve done what I’ve wanted since.

At 18, my husband was putting himself through college by working part-time and going to college part-time. He did what he wanted at 18.

As long as my husband and I are paying for college or room and board, then I expect my kids to follow our rules.


36 posted on 07/06/2007 9:55:39 AM PDT by luckystarmom
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