Being a first-time mom who was consumed by “what ifs,” I let my overprotective instincts take over. Despite his protests, I loaded him up with protective gear from head to toe — knee pads, elbow pads, a padded vest and shorts, and a fitted helmet.
After just a few minutes of riding, he frustratingly told me that he wanted to go inside because all the padding was making him uncomfortable.
That bike ride was just one of countless examples of my helicopter parenting. I decided what he would eat and wear, and who he would befriend. I made sure he didn’t mingle with strangers and was always quick to jump in to help, even unprompted.
