Raising an Independent Child

If you're going through a Virginia child custody case and have concerns about the parenting style known as helicopter parenting, there are some things you should know.

As parents, it can be difficult to watch your little ones grow up and you may subconsciously try to keep them attached to your side for longer than necessary.

Helicopter parenting can turn into a vicious cycle in which your worry and "hovering" creates an environment where your child can't develop independence. In response, you'll feel the need to pick up the slack and protect him or her even more.

Luckily, there are some ways to break the cycle of helicopter parenting and help you raise an independent child: 

• Start slowly and give your child simple responsibilities and privileges - as he or she learns to handle these, you can introduce more.
• To raise an independent child, you have to know when to step back - it's okay if children make mistakes when learning new skills or when navigating the social scene. You'd be surprised how well children can find solutions to their problems when given the chance.
• An independent child gets further faster if he or she possesses good critical thinking skills - encourage this by engaging in logic-building conversations and games with your child, and by purchasing educational toys designed to bolster critical thinking. 
• Being overprotective won't help you raise an independent child - but that doesn't mean you should be afraid to give your children the loving support they need. Having a close but healthy bond with your child is not helicopter parenting; it's good parenting! 

To learn more about helicopter parenting and how it can affect your child custody case, see our article library 

Contacting a Virginia Beach Child Custody Attorney

The decision to file for divorce usually comes at the end of a long and painful journey. In addition to the emotional turmoil involved, there's also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. Concerns about children, mortgages and even just paying the bills or buying groceries can easily become overwhelming.

A Virginia Beach child custody attorney at Hofheimer/Ferrebee can examine the specifics of your case to help you decide how much support to ask for, what child custody arrangement will work best for you and your children and how to fairly divide your marital assets. Request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar - 757-425-5200.