I have recently been hearing a new term, “helicopter parents.” The name is derived from the hovering of parents over their children whether they need it or not.

Originally this practice was mostly confined to early schooling, but as these children aged (I hate to say grew up), it has invaded the workplace. Some parents have called potential employers after their child has had an interview. The parents try to do everything from promoting their child to negotiating the salary. Once the child is hired, the parents will talk to the child several times a day. Some periodically call the child’s boss to discuss the treatment of the child (be it salary, workload or whatever).

I don’t even know where to begin with this. If I was ever called by a parent of an interviewee, red flags would shoot up all over the place. I generally look for mature, self-motivated, confident people when I am looking to fill any position. Having your mommy or daddy call to discuss your status would not generate a lot of confidence that you would have any of those aforementioned qualities.

I once inherited a woman-child when I took over as Director of Circulation in my previous employment. Her mother attempted to talk to me twice about various issues. Her first attempt was after I reprimanded her daughter for wearing a baseball jersey to work. Her second attempt occurred after I reprimanded her daughter for rummaging through my desk. After this attempt, I informed both of them that one more such phone call from Mommy would result in termination.

I am not a strict disciplinarian. Actually, I generally ran a very loose department. Still, I am sure other staffers had gripes with me at some point, yet none of them had their parents call me to discuss the situation.

Has our society really become this soft? I really hope this is a very select few people and a short-lived phenomenon. When I was a teenager, I wanted to prove my independence as soon as possible. I loved my parents dearly, but lines were certainly drawn … by all sides. In all fairness, they never would have called any of my bosses to discuss my performance or treatment.

I have seen overprotective parents, but this goes way beyond that. How are these “children” ever going to develop the necessary skills to navigate through life if mommy and daddy are constantly hovering above them? Talking to your 8-year-old’s teacher about bullying is one thing. Calling your 25-year-old’s boss is just ridiculous.

Feel free to leave a comment, but if I get too many bad ones, Fran Gallagher will be getting a call from Frank and Lizzy (my parents).

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist