Brainstorm

Psychology Today Editors Flood the Psych Zone

by Psychology Today Editors

Hara Estroff Marano is Editor at Large of Psychology Today and writes the magazine's advice column, Unconventional Wisdom. See full bio

April 23, 2008, Parenting

Comments on "Death by Hovering"

Death by Hovering

By Hara Estroff Marano on April 23, 2008 in Brainstorm

That's not how the coroner's report will list it. But the murder of a student at Indiana University-Purdue, the first act of violence in the 40-year history of the Fort Wayne campus, may well be the first documented case of death from helicopter parenting.

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Good stuff, don't forget to

Submitted by Willie Hewes on April 23, 2008 - 6:54am.

Good stuff, don't forget to put the link in.

too much flogging

Submitted by Sooz R. on April 23, 2008 - 8:05am.

Good post, but I'm getting tired of PT bloggers -- HEM not the only one -- using their blogs to flog their own publications for sale elsewhere. Is this a blog or is it advertising?

a lot of work goes in to a book

Submitted by Anonymous on November 10, 2008 - 2:28pm.

Just a little defense of perceived "book-pushing". Authors spend a lot of time researching and piecing together their work. When you pretty much eat, breathe and sleep a certain topic, it becomes second nature to reference it. I've heard writing and publishing a book is a lot like having a baby. And we all know how proud we are of our children. Personally, if I put that much in to a book and was able to get it published, I'd walk around with a sandwich board everyday.

Helicopter Parenting? Looks Like Fly-By Journalism to Me

Submitted by alex on April 23, 2008 - 11:08am.

Pardon me, but I think you're reading way too much into this story. The accused mother is a 36-year-old with a long history of violent scrapes with the law. It's pretty obvious to those of us in the community where the murder took place that she's not at all a parent of the hovering sort; to the contrary, she's a drifter who sponges off of anyone who will put up with it, in this case one of her college-age children who is trying to make a better life for herself.

Mom's best friend

Submitted by BeckyC on April 23, 2008 - 12:10pm.

In addition to wanting to handle all of thier child's problems I think many parents also are obessed with the idea that as thier children age they should become best friends. This is just a continuation of social emeshment. If a young adult woman is having a boyfriend problem they may mention it to thier mom but this should not be the main outlet. If you are in your 20s and still spilling your guts to mommy than you likely have failed in the aquisition of deep and meaningful friendships with peers your own age and may doubt your own ability to handle things as a grown adult. I love and adore my mom but I can say with confidence she never has been and never will be my best friend. She's my mom.