«The children are clearly the centre of our lives»
What worries and concerns do families have today? For the Helicopter Parents dossier, author Sandra Casalini spoke to parents about various family and parenting issues. Here, Angie Nock from Zurich talks to Jamie, 6, and Alisha, almost 2.
"Last summer, Jamie started nursery, which was quite a transition, even for me as a mum. I cried so much that day because I was overwhelmed by this new stage. I was probably more scared of nursery than my son. He never went to the crèche, he didn't want to go to the playgroup. We tried anyway, but it was always a struggle.
Jamie is a very fine child and needs harmony, so I was worried about what it would be like with the other children and whether he would get in trouble. The fact that the start of kindergarten went so smoothly was a huge relief for me. We walk to kindergarten together every morning. It takes 18 minutes without stopping, and it's along a busy road. I wouldn't feel comfortable if Jamie walked alone.
It was always clear to me that I would stay at home when I had children. Now the family is my project. I was a flight attendant, achieved everything I could in this industry, even as a boss, and spent months travelling. That's not possible with children. I want to bring up Jamie and Alisha myself and watch them grow up. I often have to justify this decision. Many people don't understand why I don't want to work. I just love being a mum. That's my job, I don't miss any other work at all.
Am I a helicopter mum? Am I a helicopter father?
The children are clearly the centre of our lives, everything revolves around them. When I read reports about helicopter parents, I have to confess: Yes, I am a helicopter parent! My husband and I don't want to wrap our children in cotton wool and do everything for them, but they are the most important thing for us and we make a lot of time for them. What's wrong with that? There is no right or wrong way to bring up children as long as you love them and treat them well. Children are also different. Alisha is much more self-confident than Jamie, so I worry less about her. Maybe I'm actually a bit too anxious sometimes. But I am responsible for the children, and as the eldest of five siblings, this feeling is probably just very deeply rooted in me. But I'm working on being able to let go a little more."
