by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
Thanks again for participating in our
Helicopter Parent Quiz.
Now, come on… even before you took this quiz, if you had heard the term you probably
immediately knew whether you were or were not a helicopter parent, but perhaps this quiz
can help you see just how much of one you are!
Scoring:
For every always response, give yourself 5 points. For every sometimes response, give
yourself 3 points. For every never response, give yourself 0 points.
Add up the points and use our guide to determine your helicopter parent status:
60-75 pts. Dangerous Territory. Your low-flying tactics are raising major dust
clouds that could hinder the growth of your college student. You need to pull up and gain
altitude by letting your student make some of his or her own decisions.
45-59 pts. Overly Involved. You swoop down too close occasionally, but at least
allow your child to make some of his or her own decisions. Still, try to fly a little higher
and let your child live his or her life.
30-44 pts. Involved. Your status is that of a concerned parent who is probably involved
at just the right level with your child's life. To be sure, ask your child about your role and
how you could work together to improve it.
Under 30 pts. Grounded. Not necessarily a bad place to be, but you might be a
bit too hands-off with your child. College students want and need counsel and advice, so
consider asking your child how you could be a bit more involved in his or her life.
Don't forget to check out our entire collection of
Tests and Quizzes for Job-Seekers.
Questions about some of the terminology used in this quiz? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search
terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers,
one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press,
including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter,
QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often
quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is
also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his
personal Website or
reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.
