Blocks and other troubling thoughts

Today I had the little man to myself during much of the afternoon. He was playing much of that time with his blocks and some other toys and having the time of his life. At one point, however, he started to get upset. You have to understand that our little guy does not get upset often. Therefore, when he DOES get upset, he has our attention.

So I hear the little man starting to whine and grump and I look down to see what has him upset. It's a block... just out of his reach. I get down on the floor with him, but don't just push the block into his grasp. I wanted to see what he would do when something didn't come easily to him. (Call me a teacher doing a study in childhood development... I really WASN'T just trying to watch him suffer.)

Back to the block. It's about two inches out of reach, which must seem like miles for a seven and a half month-old. He would reach, turn to me with a face of distress, then reach for the block. I smiled at him, spoke words of encouragement, and positioned myself behind the block, in hopes that he would try to find some way to get to the block. With a gargantuan effort, he pushed with his legs and propelled himself forward... about an inch.

Then he looked at me. His face seemed to scream, "Mom, I tried. Would you PLEASE help me?"

So I did.

I nudged that little block about half an inch closer and with one more bit of effort, he was able to reach it and was so proud of himself. I was relieved.

Then I started to wonder... "Did I just become THAT parent?" Am I now the parent who will do things for her child so that the child won't try on his own? (Those are the parents who, as a teacher, drive me bonkers. They make up every excuse for the child or they just do the work for the child instead.)

I have to believe that I didn't just enable... I simply gave him a little encouragement and made success a little easier for him. I hope. Or is that what THOSE parents tell themselves?

The term for the parents who interfere so much in their children's lives (even into adulthood, according to recent articles I've read), is "helicopter" parents. ("Helicopter" due to the hovering nature of their actions.) These are parents who interfere with a coach's decisions, a child's grade on a test, and even college and job interviews.

Not blocks... right?

Or is this where it starts?

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