God Is Not A Helicopter Parent

After seeing the umpteenth quiz on Facebook, you know, the ones that ask “What Color is Your Aura?” or “What 80s Character Are You?” I was just about to turn off my phone when I saw another quiz that piqued my interest – “What Kind of Parent Are You?” I lingered on that question. What kind of parent am I? I know what kind of parent my kids think I am. And then I asked if the parenting I’m doing is what God intended. How would He parent if He were in my shoes?

I came to the conclusion that God is not a “helicopter parent.” Helicopter parents hover over their children and are overinvolved in almost every way, never allowing their kids to fail or make decisions for themselves. Parents who adhere to this style run the risk of raising kids who cannot handle disappointment and are unable to deal with obstacles, a crucial life skill.

Nope, God is definitely not like that, and He doesn’t want us to be that way either. Time and time again, as illustrated in the Old Testament, God watched how His wayward Israelite children lived their lives, disobeying Him right and left. While God never interfered, He did warn them about the consequences of their behavior. He never forced the Israelites to obey and welcomed them with loving arms after they repented. God, as a loving parent, gave them free will to choose Him or not because He knew that true love is given freely and unconditionally. He parents us – modern-day Israelites – in the same way.

“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. The Lord is good to all, compassionate toward all your works.” – Psalm 145:8-9

As I look at each of my six children, ranging in age from 17 to 10, I fight the urge to be a helicopter parent. How could a parent not have that urge, knowing the dangers and evil that await them in the world? I wish I could take away those dangers to avoid the hurt and disappointment yet to come. I wish I could make them do things my way. But, as God has shown, I can only warn them of the danger and allow them to choose for themselves which way they will go. Getting hurt may be part of the package. If a child has to learn a life lesson that will ultimately set him on the right path and bring him closer to God, I must allow that lesson to happen. And then wait to apply the bandage and kiss the boo-boo away. I may not make my kids feel any better, but I hope they grow stronger and wiser in the process.