We have all heard the term Helicopter Parent over the last number of years. For those that haven’t, it is a reference to parents who hover over their kids. Exact definition:
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a parent who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children.“some college officials see all this as the behaviour of an overindulged generation, raised by helicopter parents and lacking in resilience”
I have never thought of myself as one of these parents, but do remember watching over Z way more than I did and do for T. Z was my first and I had no clue what I was doing, so I wanted to do everything right. And by doing everything right was making sure that Z was okay or safe.
Now it is a whole new ball game. Now I think I’m becoming a Helicopter Wife. No, not the kind that will read my husbands journal, or relinquish all of his control and manipulate things. But rather the wife that is now going to hover over his every move because I am too scared for him to get back out there and start training again.
He asked me yesterday if he could try to go for a walk outside now that he is feeling better. And I basically froze.
It has only been 2 weeks. And while the doc wants him up and about and to get back to regular activity and keep up his strength, I just don’t understand why he wants to rush and get back out there. Well I do understand…it’s Allen, the one who always pushes beyond his limits, striving for new goals and records to set. But still…2 weeks!
I still replay what might have happened in my head when I go to sleep at night. I can’t help it since we have literally no idea what happened to him. And I know I need to get over it because it is what it is, and likely we will never know.
But thinking of him going out for a ride or a run again absolutely terrifies me. The very last thing that I want is that call again.
So am I going to be that wife that maintains a hold on his every move? Am I going to be that wife that dictates what he should and shouldn’t do? No, I won’t be. I will try not to be the helicopter wife. All I can do is trust that he knows what he is doing, and knows he has to be safe and aware of his surroundings at all times. Because I know that likely it isn’t only me that has some trepidation. He must have some too. But if and when he is ready, he will go. He will be back out there doing what he loves. And I can just be there to support him like I always am.
Think I can get a tracker implanted in his neck?!
xo
D
