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NOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR
SAILING DREAMS COME TRUE

With SailTune Detroit you can take your family,
or your customers, out on "your" boat.
Sail a newer Hunter sailboat as if you own it, but with
no maintenance, less cost, and more fun.
Free ASA sailing lessons included.

At Sea Hawk Sailing School you'll learn how to sail
and have fun doing it. ASA certified instruction from
the basics through chartering in the Caribbean.

Don't Be Left On The Dock Get Out On The Water

Call us at 586-778-5152, or visit us at

www.sailtime.com/detroit

EAIL-77A40:

DETROIT

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making sailing easy, fun and affordable

Model: Samantha Chyette, 16, Birmingham

DONALD I FINER•
[orT
all krill

Helicopter Parents

Over-invo vement in kics' lives

By Jamie Gorosh
Teen2Teen Writer

p

arents once controlled every
part of our lives. We woke up
when they decided. We ate
whatever they packed in our Power
Rangers lunch boxes. We had our
clothes picked out for us. We were
chauffeured to after-school soccer
practices, piano lessons and dance
classes. We had designated time for
homework. Parents even scheduled our
free time with play dates.
For some of us, this luxury — or
annoyance — ended somewhere
around sixth grade when we became
middle school students. However,
some parents never stopped "hover-
ing!'
These parents are "helicopter
parents." The term took off in 1991,
when some teachers began using it
in reference to over-involved parents.
In recent years, the term, along with
the number of hovering parents, has
spread.

F WEST BLOOMFIELD

onthe zardwalk
248.737.9059

48

August 9 2007

1289470

douole-edged sword.

Michigan State University has dealt
with parents who are unable to let
their children become independent
college students. "Parents are focused
on their kids from preschool on. They
want the best for their kids so it's hard
[for them] not to make decisions.
Parents want to be involved:' explains
Angela Brown of University Housing
at Michigan State University
"Parents even try to move into their
children's dorm rooms until they are
comfortable and acclimated in school;'
Brown says. "Parents have piloted
complaints about everything rang-
ing from roommate disputes, to their
children's relationships, to how late
their kids can stay out at night."
Bloomfield Hills Andover High
School junior Zakiah Stokes says, "It's
hard to grow up if your parents are
treating you like little kids'
According to a survey by the College
Parents of America, 33 percent of
mothers and 20 percent of fathers are
speaking with their children on a daily
basis. As a result of this constant corn-