9 Surprising Ways You Might Be Over-Parenting Your Child

by: Lindsay Hutton
Is your child a coddled kid and you don't even know it? In today's society, "helicopter parenting," or the tendency for parents to hover and help their child even when they are capable of acting alone, is a growing — and perhaps detrimental — trend. Research published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies has found that over-parented children show less autonomy, competence and ability to relate to others as teens, which can result in depression and decreased overall life satisfaction. The following are the top areas moms and dads can fall into the over-parenting trap, and some helpful hints for how to take a step back.