It’s not just about hovering. On her podcast, All About Her, Soha Ali Khan clarified that helicopter parenting is often about 'rescuing'. Designer Simone Khambatta and businessman Dhruv Sayani joined her to break down why swooping in to solve a child’s problem before they’ve had a chance to struggle with it can be counterproductive. It’s a subtle shift that many well-meaning parents miss entirely.
Simone opened up about her own journey, admitting she started as a classic helicopter parent. She used to contact other parents immediately when her son faced bullying or fights. But she realized she was raising a child who lacked the tools to handle social friction on his own. The fix wasn’t indifference; it was changing her response from 'let me fix this' to 'let’s talk through what happened.'
The goal isn’t to leave kids alone with their problems. It’s about being present without taking control. Listening to their account, helping them brainstorm responses, and allowing them to make the final call builds genuine confidence. You stay close, you ask questions, and you let them practice the skill of managing frustration.
If you catch yourself drafting that angry text to another parent, pause. Take a breath and ask your child how they want to handle it. You’ll be surprised how much capability they have when you stop doing the thinking for them.