The Helium God

Special Installment: Mother's Day
You've heard about "helicopter" parents. So what are "helium" parents?

"I just checked in on [my daughter] in school via the webcam. There was a little girl sitting in the corner, by herself, with her head down. I watched my daughter get up from the group she was playing with, and walk over to check on the little girl. [She] talked to her for a minute, gave her a hug, then took her over to the big group of kids, and encouraged her to play with everyone. If that's not a 'Proud Mommy Moment,' I don't know what is. My gosh, I am so in love with this girl of mine!"

So writes an enthusiastic young mother on Facebook, brimming with justifiable pride in her preschooler's love of neighbor. Her parenting experience is not new: Generations of mothers before her have marveled at their children's emerging personalities and their growing capacity for caring.

What is new about this mother's experience is the particular way she observed her daughter's behavior. She simply turned on her computer and watched the live feed from the classroom.

Ask any elementary school...