How To Break Free from Helicopter Parenting: Embracing Resilience and Independence
Helicopter Parents. Hovering. Watching every move a child makes to ensure the utmost safety. Whenever a child gets remotely close to a less-than-perfect situation, the helicopter parent swoops in and rescues the child from danger. Whew! That was close.
There is a new parenting style that has taken hold in America. Snow Plow Parenting. These well-meaning moms and dads make every effort to eliminate any challenges or friction that a child faces throughout the day, in order to clear a path to success.
It sounds good. It is certainly well-intentioned and comes from a place of love and caring. The challenge is that this approach to child-rearing often has the opposite effect and develops children into adults that are unable to function when faced with the trials and tribulations that life constantly bombards them with.
The Snow Plow Effect has been applied to the health and wellness community as well. At the first signs of a sniffle, ache, or pain, people immediately begin popping pills and downing elixirs. They call their doctors and schedule telemedicine appointments.
The body is not given an opportunity to do what it does best - survive. Sure, there will be some discomfort in the short-term, but that discomfort hardens individuals and makes them more resilient. Then, when something truly scary does challenge their health, the body is stronger and better practiced at recovering from it.
Similarly, the fitness industry has been plowing the path to health for decades. Spacious gyms, shiny equipment, temperature controlled training areas, perfect flooring, and ambient lighting all make the training experience…perfect! The challenge is that life is rarely perfect (unless you live in San Diego! 😎).
A major component of physical training is exposure to the elements. That can be in the form of a hot sun and humid air, or freezing rain and bitter winds. That exposure to the elements hardens humans and builds grit.
Training cannot be viewed simply as a physical endeavor, however. It also needs to be evaluated on its’ effectiveness to build a strong mind and resilient spirit. Training outdoors - year round - develops these characteristics.
Is it always pleasant training outdoors? Absolutely not! Embrace the suck.
By consistently training outdoors, an interesting thing happens. The body adapts. By training across the seasons, the body has the opportunity to acclimate over a longer period of time. Start now and slowly build up an endurance and tolerance for the elements. As the temperature drops or rises, the body and mind will be able to adapt to the changing environment. And the spirit will be stronger for it!
Now get outside and enjoy that weather.
