Hara,
You're a breath of fresh air and it's lovely to know psychologists validate my own motherly instincts in this regard. I recently posted on my blog (Cookie magazine, and on yahoo) about my greatest desire for Mother's Day: to NOT feel like a mother for the day. So I cleared out and took the day off. Got a couple of crabby comments for my mommy-selfishness but really, we know these ladies are cracked. For the complete post, should anyone feel so inclined, please go here:

http://www.cookiemag.com/magazine/blogs/crabmommy/2008/05/mothers-day-dr...

I wonder if there is a way I can get you to guest-post on my blog. In this era of rampant and neurotic parenting, you're a tonic. And your book title is just a hoot! And so VERY true. Thank you for giving those of us who don't helicopter-parent an expert to back us up.

We should take a break on mothers day the whole week. Lets our kids do their own tasks. We can see how well they can do. Let them take help from our husbands.

I agree that is so important for parents to take the day off, at least! I was a helicopter parent of an only child, and when that child became an adult and a parent herself, she still wanted me to take care of her. After many years of emotional pain, I finally did take some time off, to let her go out there and take her lumps! She still struggles when things get a little tough and will come to me to tell her what to do, instead of making the decision herself, or either clean up a mess that shes made, or tell her she's right about something that she knows she wrong about. I have realized that she is still somewhat dependent on me, and if I don't stay strong, and honest about her and myself, that we are destined to stay in the painful, destructive co-dependent relationship that we were in. Stay stong