'Snow plow' parenting: Helping kids?

Move over, Tiger Moms -- a new parenting trend prevents children from failing.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Feb 19, 2013 8:12PM

First there were Tiger Moms. You may recall the extreme style of parenting made (in)famous by Amy Chua's best-selling book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.

Then hovering 'helicopter parents came on the scene -- the overly-involved, control freak style of child rearing.

Now, an all-out mommy war is brewing as a brand new moniker of parenting style comes under attack, "snow plow" parenting.

More from MSN Living: How dogs make our lives better

According to an article on ABC7 San Francisco’s website, "the 'snow plow' parent pushes life’s obstacles out of his or her children's way."

Instead of parenting from a place of healthy involvement, these parents try to eliminate potential roadblocks and pave a straight line to their kid's success.

More from MSN Living: 15 amazing, inspiring baby nurseries

In the ABC7 story, one mom talks about how she used her "snow plow" powers when her son was going out for a basketball team.

"I brought lemon cupcakes to a baseball practice once and realized the coach doesn’t like lemon. So I went home and baked vanilla cupcakes and brought them to his house that evening for his family to share," she was quoted.

In San Mateo, Calif., Aragon High School athletic director Steve Sells tells ABC7 it's apparent in sports, "A lot more money is spent on club activity outside of school," he was quoted. "And a lot more in the way of private lessons."

Kids are pushed to succeed in one sport, and as a result, Sells sees over-use injuries at a young age.

"They're teaching their children a terrible lesson," Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, Ph.D., told ABC7. "If you're not good at something immediately, get out. It's humiliating to be a novice."

In the grand scheme of growing up, what happens if your kid doesn’t get to experience the thrill of winning and suffer a few hard knocks along the way?

Do you think "snow plow" parenting helps or hurts children?

Bing: Tips for raising children with tough love

Subscribe to The Family Room

Love content like this? Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and find us on Pinterest.

Readers: Calling all mom bloggers – we’re looking for fresh voices on MSN Living. Email us your samples and contact info!

Photo: Snow plow parenting / Digital Vision/Getty Images

< Back to The Family Room

207Comments

Best

Feb 20, 2013 4:21PM

People need to realize that we're raising adults, not children. Our kids will have to be able to make it out there in the world on their own one day. If they never have to figure out anything for themselves, or deal with failure (because eventually they'll be faced with something that they're - GASP! - not very good at), how are they going to be able to function without mommy and/or daddy there to make it all better?

I hope these parents are prepared to move into their kids' college dorms with them so they can continue plowing the road.

I feel sorry for these kids. Truly.

Previous replies

musiclover88

Feb 20, 2013 4:29PM

it's no wonder kids today are a bunch of PUSSIES!!!

parents removing obstacles?

all kids need to be accepted to sports teams...

all kids need to be given passing grades...

all because we don't wanna hurt johnny or suzie's feelings.....

and then you wonder why this country is going to hell....

GET RID OF THIS PC **** and get on with life....

Previous replies

tb12

Feb 20, 2013 4:20PM

take every obsticle out of their way? What happens when they reach the real world. Business leaders are complaining that public schools are not teaching the kids to be responsible for their actions or work ethic. Kids coming out of school don't show up to work, (no call, no show) and they can't understand why they get fired. Mom never let them fail in school. They steal, lie and cheat at work and then when they get caught, they expect to say sorry and get another chance....just like in the classroom.

Previous replies

Murphster

Feb 20, 2013 4:42PM

Let the kids play in the dirt, let them come home muddy, let them find a way to salve their own wounds. Let them be children. My parents grew up in the Depression, fought in WWII

( yes, my mother, too ), had six kids and their own careers. They had no time or inclination for the nonsense parents apply to their children today. All six of their kids grew up happy, healthy and educated and we gave them grandchildren. So there.

Previous replies

berecca

Feb 20, 2013 4:29PM

Yeah, show up at the guy's house with vanilla cupcakes. In the evening. He will mark you as a psychopath with no boundaries faster than you can say "kicked off the team". Nobody likes a butt-kisser, especially one who is pushy and intrusive.

Previous replies

keepmyjobmi

Feb 20, 2013 4:48PM

Whoa! Don't start blaming the teachers! We're not allowed to stand up to these parents. Give them the grade they earn and you're reprimanded! Tell them "no" and you have no backing. Public school teachers have no backing!

Previous replies

sanity reason

Feb 20, 2013 4:37PM

As a society we encourage and support this type of activity. A student gets sent home for having purple hair, or a company fires an employee who refuses to comply with dress and grooming standards, and we rally to their defense. We don"t stop and think "is there another side to this story" we just lite the offender up with negative blogs, tweets and e-mails. We participate in syber-bullying, by ganging up against them.

Previous replies

cltsoxfan29

Feb 20, 2013 4:51PM

That kid is going to be in for a rude awakening when he realizes bringing cupcakes to a job interview isn't going to get him squat in terms of employment.

Previous replies

< 1 2 3 >

'Snow plow' parenting: Helping kids?

Move over, Tiger Moms -- a new parenting trend prevents children from failing.

family: tips, trends & advice for all things family