My three children, 12, 10, and 6, have enjoyed the perks of having a parent that dotes on them.
Need a ride? Sure.
Need help with homework? Sure.
Need a listening ear? Sure.
Need grounding? Sure.
Need a curfew? Sure.
There isn't a long list of things I wouldn't do for my kids.
As a teacher of 20 years, I have seen the spectrum of parent/child relationships.
I have learned, good and bad, what tweens need from their parents.
1.
There's the Helicopter Mom who "hovers" over her child's online grades, carries her child's instrument into the school, and goes through withdrawal while her child attends school.
I picture her scouring toilets all day to pass the time or crawling into bed with a pint of ice cream until her child comes home.
2.
There's the Helpful Dad who keeps in close contact with the math teacher because he has tried to help his child with math and well...
can't.
He feels bad that he can't help so he makes sure his child gets the extra help he needs.
3.
The Narcissistic Parent who comes to parent teacher conferences to tell every teacher, parent, and willing ear how difficult it is on HER that her son has homework, sports practice, and chores every night.
4.
The Wannabe Parent is the dad that wants to be the Cool Dad with his child's friends.
He dresses like them, plays with them, and has more tween friends than adult friends.
The other kids think he's the coolest parent in the whole wide world.
5.
The Straight A Parent does not want her child challenged because it shows weakness and inferiority.
She wants her "gifted" child to get an A or A+ on every assignment so her child gets a perfect report card.
IF the child struggles or has to think, she contends that the task must be too hard because HER child didn't get it immediately.
6.
The Freak Out Parent goes from 0 to 60 in five seconds for any reason.
A castle-building home project is due in three weeks.
She freaks.
An essay is due at the end of the week.
She freaks.
Her child got a B on his chemistry test.
She freaks.
Her daughter didn't play enough in last night's game.
She freaks.
The sun came up this morning.
She freaked.
7.
The Pass the Buck Parent doesn't help his kid at home.
That's the teacher's job.
His son isn't doing his homework? Give him a detention.
Her daughter should stay for homework club after school.
She has chores.
Her child is disrespectful.
He's just like his brother.
Their child doesn't value school.
What a surprise.
8.
The New Life Parent is recently divorced and lovin' life.
She has a new wardrobe, new boyfriend, and new calendar.
This usually means she is unaware of her new problems.
Her child is falling behind in school.
Her child is missing her.
She is so happy that she doesn't even notice.
9.
The Taxpaying Parent is certain that because he pays taxes, the school should do things his way.
THOSE teachers need to teach more arithmetic.
THAT school should have ball games at 6:00 instead of 7:00.
Why are MY taxes being spent on therapy for the kid in a wheelchair? 10.
The Super Parent is always saving the day.
Forgot her homework? No problem! Needs three dozen cookies by noon? OK! Needs a little help with math facts? New iPod it is! There is no problem too large or inconvenient for...
Su-per Pa-rent.
Now, read carefully.
I am probably a blend of at least three or four of these.
No parent is perfect.
No child is perfect.
No teacher is perfect.
But we all need to work together to create a perfect world.