Are You A 'Velcro Parent' Without Realizing It?

Parents naturally want to be there for their children, to provide comfort, guidance and protection.

But sometimes “being there” crosses a line into being everywhere. Cue “Velcro parents.” This approach to parenting comes from a place of love and good intentions, but the impact can be profoundly negative.

HuffPost spoke with psychologists and child development specialists to break down what Velcro parenting is, why it shows up and what families can do instead.

What is Velcro parenting?

“A Velcro parent is a caregiver who remains constantly attached to their child ― physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or logistically,” clinical psychologist and author Jenny Yip told HuffPost. “Unlike helicopter parenting, which involves monitoring from above, Velcro parenting is about staying fused. The parent tightly shadows the child’s experiences, often stepping in at the earliest sign of discomfort, challenge or uncertainty.”