We all know our parents mean well. They want us to succeed and thrive in life and only want the best for us. However, in expressing these supportive and nurturing feelings, it often feels like they are trying to run our lives for us and completely disregard our feelings and desires.

Speaking from experience, I understand the struggle.

The first year at college and it feels like my dad is running the show that is my life. Any control, freedom, independence, whatever you want to call it that I was supposed to gain being out on my own in a new state has been stripped away from me.

Don’t get me wrong, I am frustrated with my lack of control over my own life. But I also recognize that I have one loving and supportive parent by my side to get me through anything. Even though I’m not in Connecticut and he’s back in Texas, I’m never alone or truly all that far from home - he makes sure of that.

Despite all the angst a helicopter parent might cause, the love you receive from them is unparalleled (but yes I have to constantly remind myself of this fact every time I feel like calling him and giving him a piece of my mind.)

None of my friends would come running to my side after a bad day or seek out professional help when things go really bad like my dad does. He’s the only person who sees past my short-term goals and temporary fixes and corrects my bad decisions before it’s too late and for that I will be forever grateful and appreciative of my overprotective, controlling, helicopter parent.