'I confess: I'm a helicopter parent. And I bet you are too.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Children's Panadol

Alright, I'll say it: helicopter parents get an unfairly bad rap. The rise of the helicopter parent — someone who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in their kids' lives — has been widely criticised in the media and often frowned upon as a parenting style.

But while I might once have been ashamed to admit it, I'm ready to confess that I fully identify as a helicopter parent.

I mean, come on. An excessive interest in the life of my kids? You mean the two most charming and interesting kids to ever be born? Um, yeah, I'm excessively interested in them.

My only defence is that, like all good helicopters, I'm not hovering all the time. The truth is, my strongest helicopter instincts only come out in particular circumstances…

When my kids are sick. 

There's nothing that brings out my mama bear instincts quite like seeing one of my boys feeling unwell. Which is lucky in a way, because my two boys get sick more than I ever could have anticipated before becoming a mum (thanks, daycare).

As a parent, it's one of the worst feelings in the world: knowing your baby is feeling awful and simultaneously realising there's not much you can do about it.

I'm proud to admit that when my kids are sick, I hover like nobody's business, always at the ready with supplies and a cuddle.

One option to have on hand during pain and fever occasions is Children's Panadol — the go-to pain relief for Aussie parents. It can start to reduce a fever in just 15 minutes, is gentle on little tummies and provides fast and effective relief for teething, fever, immunisation pain, fever and pain from cold and flu symptoms, earaches and headaches.

Plus, the Panadol Children 1–5 Years and 5–12 Years suspension comes with an easy-to-dose syringe and two kid-friendly flavours — strawberry and orange.

When my kids are scared. 

We've all heard stories of mothers lifting cars off their kids in moments of danger. When my kids are worried or anxious, I like to think of it as a similar scenario — but my superpower is hovering as close to them as possible.

I don't believe forcing kids to face their fears is the best way to help them overcome them. If anything, it just reinforces the idea that they can't rely on me for support when they need it most.

So yes, I'm the mum who'll let her toddler hold her hand for the entire birthday party because he's "feeling shy" and I'm absolutely the mum who'll tell others that my baby isn't in the mood to be held.

I'm happy to park my helicopter elsewhere when my kids are feeling confident and secure, but when they need some extra support, you best believe I'll be in my chopper. 

When my kids are at a wedding or other special occasion.

There's a time and a place for kids to run around and be kids — you should see mine on a Saturday morning tearing up the local playground — but other people's special events are not those times or places.

Other parents and non-parents might think I'm a bit over the top supervising my kids while the bride walks down the aisle, but I'd rather come across as an overbearing mum than let my boys ruin what should be someone else's special moment.

If necessary, I'll be the one whisking my boys away to a quiet spot on the outskirts of the venue until I'm sure we can all be calm, polite and adorable again.

When my kids are being sweet with each other.

I know conventional wisdom dictates that it's beneficial for kids to play alone, but forgive me if I want to be right by their sides when they're at their very cutest.

While I'll happily step away when they're being rascals (suuuuper happy for someone else to deal with them then), I love to hover when they're playing nicely together because it's the greatest joy of my life.

There is nothing I want to do more than watch my three-year-old explain the rules of Duck, Duck, Goose to my one-year-old. Were they the correct rules? Absolutely not. Was an entirely new animal introduced and the game re-named "Duck, Octopus, Goose"? Sure!

The point is, I'm so glad I was there to witness it and not in another room.

Shop Children's Panadol for fast and effective pain relief.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Incorrect use could be harmful.

Children's Panadol can start to relieve fevers within 15 minutes. Reference: Temple, A.R. et al. Clin. Ther. 2013; 35:1361-75.

Children's Panadol is Australia's go-to pain relief brand, claim based data sourced from Circana MarketEdge based on data definitions provided by Haleon Australia Pty Ltd for MAT 03/11/2024.

Paid partnership.

Feature Image: Supplied.

For over 60 years, Children's Panadol has been helping children as young as one-month-old feel better again. You can trust Children's Panadol to provide your child with fast, effective, temporary relief from pain and fever.
Find the whole Children's Panadol range at your local pharmacy.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Incorrect use could be harmful.