Helicopter Mom

I am new to this "blog" thing, however, I am not new to writing. Everyone who knows me knows I majored in Journalism and wrote for the Bessemer newspaper. I soon realized there wasn't much of a future in that business living in the Mason-Dixon line. I am now a Digital Banker (fancy word for communicating by email with customers at Regions). I married the most wonderful man on July 30, 2011 and gave birth to McKenzie Grace Smith on October 9, 2012. Which leads me to an article in Parenting Magazine about Detachment Parenting. I agree with some viewpoints in this article but disagree with the general idea. As it is apparent majority of my friends are mothers and we all raise our kids as a whole quite the same but in a few ways different. The words "detachment parenting" should never go together, in my opinion. As a parent, your job is to protect your children and be there for them for everything no matter what. I am not saying with this style of parenting you don't care about your children, but this is the type of parenting which I call "Modern Parenting" and my daddy calls "No Parenting" is what a lot of parents are doing and take a look at the younger generation. This style of parenting allows their kids to have "free range" to do as they please, as stated in this article. I agree with that, to a certain extent. I allow Bella and Rina to choose their clothes, but they have to match. I allow them to brush their hair and choose how they want to wear it. I allow candy, but after dinner. I allow friends over and play time on the computer, but they must do their chores first. I let them stay up late at times but this is a treat and only in the summer. I am all for teaching children independence, but as a parent I feel you need to teach your kids who is in control. Growing up my daddy was as strict as they come. I, unfortunately for Kenzie, have followed suit. But as an adult and mother I know this is good for her. I had a curfew and if I wasn't home I knew I would be grounded, I used ma'am and sir, I got spankings no matter where I was at, I had to work to put gas in my car, and I had to eat a good meal before any junk. I didn't have a cellphone at 9 or a computer I stayed on, I wasn't just given money for gas I had to work for it and I didn't get away with throwing tantrums in the store without getting my butt whooped. In my opinion, Detachment Parenting is lazy parenting. I can't stand to hear "Well she was whining and I didn't feel like arguing". First, you are the adult and you shouldn't be arguing with a child. Second, you are the ADULT! You make the rules, you're the Queen Bee! This article used the term "Helicopter Mom" for mothers who hover their children. Well I am proud to say I am that mom and aunt (or AuntMom as Bella calls me). I am not suffocating, however, this day and time you can not be too careful. I am the mom/aunt who make their children drink more water in the heat bc I fear dehydration, I am the mom/aunt who carries a on-the-go first aid kit, I am the mom/aunt who thinks their children need to be dressed suited to the event, I am the mom/aunt who kisses boo-boos and wipes tears, I am the mom/aunt who spanks (gasp!), I am the mom/aunt who has her kids on a schedule, I am the mom/aunt who doesn't EVER allow candy, cookies or junk before dinner and I am the mom/aunt who does not skip baths no matter how late or tired. I am also the mom/aunt who gets the most compliments on my kids behavior, I am the mom/aunt who has respectful kids, I am the mom/aunt who knows her kids love her more then anything in this world, I am the mom/aunt who spoil her kids, I am the mom/aunt who has 6 eyes staring at me on the potty, I am the mom/aunt who is more excited about birthday parties then her child, I am the mom/aunt who cries bc she sees her babies growing up before her eyes, and finally I am the mom/aunt who is most proud of their accomplishments and the most fearful of their well being. So what I am a "Helicopter Mom". I have the best kids in the world and my style of parenting must work...I turned out alright! :)