Snowplow Parenting: Meaning And Characteristics

Recently parents are discussing a new way of parenting that is affecting the kid’s life deeply. The snowplow parenting is the latest parenting style that is making headlines in the parenting world with its controversial parenting ways.

Let’s understand what is snowplow parenting support services and what characteristics of such parents are. 

What Is Snowplow Parenting Style?

This is a parenting method wherein, parents constantly try to clear all the difficulties and challenges that may come in their kid’s way. That is why the metaphor snowplow! A snow plow clears the snow off the road.

These parents can’t tolerate any distress or problems in their kids’ life. So they intrude and try to fix everything for their child.

Do you know any such parents that always protect their kids from the probable dangers? Many people have these habits in fact we may confuse the snowplow parenting style with helicopter parenting.

But there are many differences between the two. Let’s dig deep to understand snowplow parents’ signs.

Signs Of Snowplow Parents

#1. You Always Protect Your Kids

Do you always monitor every action of your kid just to keep him safe? Do you always save your kid from his day to day troubles? Do you even take care of your kid’s virtual life and want to protect him with smart parental control apps?

If the answer to all these questions is “yes” then chances are you may be a snowplow parent that always wants to guard his kid’s every aspect of life.

However, there is nothing wrong with it but once your child starts getting mature you should stop protecting him. You can always interfere if he is trapped in any severe issues otherwise you should educate kids to take care of their own safety.

#2. You Want Nothing But The Best For Your Kids

Okay…this goes with every parent, right? We all want our kids to get the finest of the things, the best results, the brightest career and the best possible life.

But with snowplow parents, these things go in an extreme range. They always raise their kids for a grand successful career. They always push children to win in the competition. These parents just can’t tolerate mediocre or below-average performance.

So the children constantly feel pressured to perform their best. These parents indirectly pass on the underlying message to the kid that parents will accept only the best child. The child is forced to either hide or improve on his flaws otherwise he might not be loved and supported.

#3. Supporting Kids With Huge Cheques

Have you ever seen a parent that fights to increase their kid’s grades with a teacher? Or nullifies the exam pattern just because their kids can not excel in it. But the height of such a scenario is when a parent offers a juicy cheque to the teacher or a referee to increase kid’s marks or to get a favorable decision in sports. 

Such parents are snowplow parents. They never hesitate to shower expensive gifts and checks to make things favorable for his kid. As we know, they just want a smooth road to success for their kids.

#4.Micromanaging Kids’ Activities

Does this sound similar to overprotective parents? Yes, snowplow parents too, constantly micromanage every aspect of their kid’s lives. They manage their schedule, they monitor the kid’s activities while he is playing with his friends, and they even call teachers to know their kid’s whereabouts during schooltime.

Parents follow the kid’s actions out of concern. They want their child to utilize every moment, every opportunity to get close to success. But kids may feel suffocated and get habituated with parent’s help even in routine chores.

#5. Always Supporting Kids To Finish Their Chores

Do you always help your kids to finish their homework? Do you support your child’s DIY school projects so he can excel in his class project? Do you always make him ready for the school and arrange his bag and books?

If you do so, you are probably harming your kids. Snowplow parents over-support their kids by assisting them in every walk of life. This habit of parents may cripple the child gradually and he can not manage his work by himself. 

Do any of these traits match with your parenting style? Which style do you adopt for your children? If you are a snowplow parent balance your parenting with more lenient rules. A child just needs love, affection and care. Do not push him in the rat race of success, at least during his childhood.