Independence is good for kids. 

Helicopter parenting is bad for kids.

But figuring out when to step in or step back...well, that's a challenge!

When another boy punched her 11 year old son in the face during hockey practice, writer and "boy mom" Caren Chesler acted immediately. "I had one leg over the half-wall and was stepping onto the players’ bench when the coach looked up and our eyes met," Caren wrote in a Washington Post article. " Mine were still saying, 'Are you kidding me?!' while his were saying, 'Lady, I got this.'”

Caren backed away and let the coach handle the situation. After practice, her son told her that he and the other boy worked things out.

Like so many parents, Caren feels compelled to act "when I see my son in harm's way, whether it's socially or physically," she says. She know there's value in giving her son space and time to navigate challenges, but it's not easy to sit on the sidelines. Yet as our boys grow, they want (and need!) opportunities to manage conflict and challenges.

Managing Parental Anxiety

Often, parent involvement is driven by parental anxiety. Caren has realized that her tendency to involve herself in her son's social issues is stems from "my own personal feelings, memories, scars, and traumas," she says.

"I can tell there's something wrong because when something happens to my son, I feel like it's happening to me," Caren says. That recognition spurred her to work on separating her issues from her son's.

Managing our anxiety -- and our desire to step in -- is a constant process. As we recognize and address personal traumas and tendencies, our kids grow and change as well. We must adapt our parenting to the new moment. Rather than rigidly adhering to a set of rules or guidelines, it's best to ground our actions in honesty and integrity.

Admit your mistakes to yourself (and your son). Adjust your rules. Experiment, and then readjust again, as necessary. And as many times as necessary.

In this episode, Jen, Janet, & Caren discuss:

"Mom instincts" that compel us to act

Dealing with our "stuff" so we can give our boys the chance to deal with their stuff

Male vs. female friendships

Making yourself available vs. directly intervening

Giving kids space on social media

Managing video games

Adjusting your parenting positions

Setting limits

Discussing mistakes

Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode:

I'm Too Involved as a Parent. For My Son's Sake, I'm Trying to Change. -- Washington Post article by Caren

Probing the Complex Influence of Video Games on Young Minds -- Discover article by Caren

The Model of a Mother and Son Project -- Next Avenue article by Caren

Encouraging Independence -- ON BOYS episode

Video Game Addiction -- ON BOYS podcast

BACK TO SCHOOL is happening around the globe and that carries it’s own set of challenges. Join Amy McCready for the BACK TO SCHOOL SurTHRIVAL training.  End homework hassles, put the responsibility where it belongs (your kiddo…) and more.  Go to:  https://boysalive.com/school for program details. (this is an affiliate link)

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