The author recounts an experience from her teenage years when her mother forged an application to get her a job at a new bakery, despite her poor math skills. During the interview, the manager discovered the deception, and the author didn’t get the job. This incident highlighted the downsides of helicopter parenting and led her to later secure jobs on her own, boosting her self-esteem and work ethic. Years later, as a mother herself, the author tried to help her 16-year-old daughter find a part-time job by posting online and asking a restaurant manager. The manager’s reaction—advising her not to intervene—made the author realize that her efforts were counterproductive and not beneficial to her daughter’s independence. This experience made her reflect on her own past and the importance of allowing her daughter to find opportunities on her own.
