Comments on: Helicopter Parents http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/opinion/2009/02/27/helicopter-parents/ Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:40:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: howieinseattle http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/opinion/2009/02/27/helicopter-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-52 howieinseattle Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:37:01 +0000 http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/?p=1516#comment-52 Kaiti: As a genuine 100-year-old Garfield parent , I am impressed (again) by your judgment and maturity. I hope my support doesn't kill your social life. Kaiti:
As a genuine 100-year-old Garfield parent , I am impressed (again) by your judgment and maturity. I hope my support doesn’t kill your social life.

]]> By: Hildy Ko http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/opinion/2009/02/27/helicopter-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Hildy Ko Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:05:48 +0000 http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/?p=1516#comment-42 Hi Kaiti! This is a great article and I hope some parents read it and instead of talking to their kids actually LISTEN to them. The main thing for parents is to establish trust, which you fortunately have with your mom. Some kids have blown it and then find it hard for parents to re-establish a trusting relationship. I am writing an email to a women in charge of froshing this year and telling her to cool her jets. I did not have your email address so will paste the letter in below. Love ya girl!! Hildy Hi Jennifer and Garfield Staff and Administrators, I saw in Garfield Notes that you were collecting stories and concerns about froshing at Garfield. We have three kids, two of whom are Garfield graduates and are now at college. The culture has changed so much at Garfield in the time we have been there. My kids and I feel there used to be a lot more Bulldog spirit at Garfield. I read the same in the Messenger. Maybe it was the move to Lincoln and then coming back this year, we have still not found our hearts and reconnected in the community. Where is our Bulldog spirit and pride? Maybe we should ask the kids? I understand issues of safety but some of the frantic wringing of hands over how kid’s dress or dance, and the froshing that happens during spirit week in the name of Bulldog spirit - are unfounded. The administration and freaked out parents are trying to micromanage everything in the name of safety. Trusting kids to make the right choice is an important step for parents and administrators to take, instead of expecting the worst first! It seems to me that some of the silly stuff the kids do is in the name of fun and spirit, and should not be punished. I do not see how some writing with markers on skin, (that will soon wash off) or dressing underclassman in purple outfits, can be seen as detrimental. My son was quite proud as a freshman to be singled out to wear a purple tutu, it meant he was recognized and valued by his upperclassman. I can see how tossing kids in the lake can be dangerous, but all my kids went for a dip and are proud of following this Bulldog tradition. Maybe parents and administrators should cool their jets, engage the students, present the problem and see if they can brainstorm on solutions. When we give our students clear expectations, and then ask the kids to police themselves, I would bet they look out for one another resulting in a positive outcome. The threat of dire punishments for aberrant behavior does not necessarily result in positive behavior. It might be more appropriate for ASB to draft some suggestions about what is expected and give suitable examples of Bulldog pride! If new ideas are solicited from our kids, they are more likely to get on board. Perhaps the Messenger could tackle this issue? Thanks to everyone for your energy and efforts to educate and safeguard our kids! Hi Kaiti!
This is a great article and I hope some parents read it and instead of talking to their kids actually LISTEN to them. The main thing for parents is to establish trust, which you fortunately have with your mom. Some kids have blown it and then find it hard for parents to re-establish a trusting relationship.

I am writing an email to a women in charge of froshing this year and telling her to cool her jets. I did not have your email address so will paste the letter in below. Love ya girl!! Hildy
Hi Jennifer and Garfield Staff and Administrators,

I saw in Garfield Notes that you were collecting stories and concerns about froshing at Garfield. We have three kids, two of whom are Garfield graduates and are now at college. The culture has changed so much at Garfield in the time we have been there. My kids and I feel there used to be a lot more Bulldog spirit at Garfield. I read the same in the Messenger. Maybe it was the move to Lincoln and then coming back this year, we have still not found our hearts and reconnected in the community. Where is our Bulldog spirit and pride?

Maybe we should ask the kids?

I understand issues of safety but some of the frantic wringing of hands over how kid’s dress or dance, and the froshing that happens during spirit week in the name of Bulldog spirit — are unfounded. The administration and freaked out parents are trying to micromanage everything in the name of safety. Trusting kids to make the right choice is an important step for parents and administrators to take, instead of expecting the worst first! It seems to me that some of the silly stuff the kids do is in the name of fun and spirit, and should not be punished. I do not see how some writing with markers on skin, (that will soon wash off) or dressing underclassman in purple outfits, can be seen as detrimental. My son was quite proud as a freshman to be singled out to wear a purple tutu, it meant he was recognized and valued by his upperclassman. I can see how tossing kids in the lake can be dangerous, but all my kids went for a dip and are proud of following this Bulldog tradition.

Maybe parents and administrators should cool their jets, engage the students, present the problem and see if they can brainstorm on solutions. When we give our students clear expectations, and then ask the kids to police themselves, I would bet they look out for one another resulting in a positive outcome. The threat of dire punishments for aberrant behavior does not necessarily result in positive behavior. It might be more appropriate for ASB to draft some suggestions about what is expected and give suitable examples of Bulldog pride! If new ideas are solicited from our kids, they are more likely to get on board.

Perhaps the Messenger could tackle this issue?

Thanks to everyone for your energy and efforts to educate and safeguard our kids!

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