We’ve heard of helicopter parenting and free-range parenting, but what about snowplow parenting?
Snowplow parenting, or lawnmower parents, is when parents feel compelled to hold the hands of their children to make sure the kids succeed, and aren't disappointed or allowed to fail, according to USA Today.
The problem is when they become adults, parents are not cutting the apron strings and are still doing everything an adult should be able to do, but either don’t or are unable to do so.
And it's happening more and more, according to a new poll by The New York Times and Morning Consult.
It has been in the spotlight after last week’s discovery of dozens of parents who paid to get their children into affluent schools, including stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.
The New York Times reported that those involved in Operation Varsity Blues were extreme cases of snowplow parenting, going so far as to have someone take the ACT test for their child, or lying about playing a perfect sport.
But some small ways parents step in for their children who are over the age of 18, include, reminding them of deadlines, making appointments for them, and act like an alarm clock, waking them up for class, USA Today reported.
The poll found though that some parents go even further. Sixteen percent of those polled, wrote part or all of a job or internship application, while others helped write an essay or even did the assignment themselves for their children.
Because of the hands-on nature of some parents, colleges are starting parent relations offices. Companies, including LinkedIn, Amazon and Google are allowing employees to bring their parents to work for a day, the Times reported.
For more on the study, click here.
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