Pandemic places adult children in helicopter role for parents
FORGET helicopter parents – in the COVID-19 era, it is adult children who are hovering over their parents, according to new research.
The study, commissioned by retirement living village operator Stockland, found four in five adult children were increasingly conscious of their parents’ health, wellbeing and vulnerability.
One in five of the 1200 respondents in the survey reported their relationship with their parents and family had improved since the onset of COVID-19.
Forty-two per cent of respondents said they now felt closer to their parents, while 63 per cent said they were making more of an effort to stay in touch.
Psychologist and wellbeing expert Sarah Cotton said the results showed that, life priorities had shifted in the wake of the pandemic with many people now placing a greater emphasis on a sense of connection with their families.
“It seems that adult children are now looking out for their parents more, just as their parents traditionally have looked out for them,” Stockland’s Kirrily Lord said.
For Daniel and Helen Lee, a desire to be nearer to son Michael and his family motivated them to relocate from a Stockland village near Melbourne to Salford Retirement Village in Aberfoyle Park, SA.
“If we need help or get sick, it’s nice that my son is only five minutes down the road,” Daniel Lee said. “COVID has put a lot of things into perspective.”
Michael Lee is also pleased to have his parents closer, saying he now has “peace of mind”.