Thread: College student wins restraining order re: "helicopter parents"

Even though it sounds like they went a little overboard, if they were tying it to them paying for her college, it seems like she could have stopped accepting their tuition money anytime and do what she liked. I'm pretty sure they were probably paying for the phone that she was complaining about too and the computer. It seems simple to me, if she didn't want them monitoring her phone she should have paid for her own phone. I think she could have done any of those things without involving a judge.

So as a parent, you think because you provide something for your child that your child has no right to privacy? Yikes.

Originally Posted by Jessica80

So as a parent, you think because you provide something for your child that your child has no right to privacy? Yikes.

What I believe as a parent has nothing to do with it. These parents did believe that and have the right to do whatever they wish with their money. If she wanted privacy all she had to do was tell them her privacy was more important to her than their money.

I think what they were doing is overstepping their boundaries. When you offer to pay for your child to go to college that does not mean that you have any right to make your child keep their computer on while you watch them sleep. I don't even watch my almost 3 and 4 year old sleep. That's creepy.

Originally Posted by Jessica80

I think what they were doing is overstepping their boundaries. When you offer to pay for your child to go to college that does not mean that you have any right to make your child keep their computer on while you watch them sleep. I don't even watch my almost 3 and 4 year old sleep. That's creepy.

They couldn't bring up Skype on her computer. SHE did that. All she had to do was say NO and not do it. No judge needed. Actually they DO have the right to spend their money however they want, whether other people agree that is a good thing to do doesn't mean they don't have the right. She also has the right to say NO and take the chance that they would stop giving her money.

When did I say they didn't have the right to spend the money as they choose. Of course they do.

I'm assuming this wasn't new behavior. Again, if everything is true she's been bullied and put into submission by them for many years. Of course she wasn't going to say no right away. She never had a chance to.

Gloria is right though. There was absolutely NO reason to get the court involved in their problems. If she wanted to be free of them, all she had to do was cut them off and deal with the fact that she was going to get cut off. Seriously a waste of taxpayers money and the judges/lawyers time. What an idiot. If she's as brilliant as the article posted and an actress to boot, I don't believe she didn't know she couldn't say no to her parents. She just wanted their money and for them to leave her alone. That isn't the way her parents work so she should have told them no. and no. and no.

eta-Not that I think the parents are normal human beings. They obviously have issues if she's telling the truth. But if at 21 she doesn't want to deal with them, she should buy her own computer and phone.

I'm 32. If my husband told me that he was going to watch me while I sleep no matter where I am and I better turn on the computer or else, logically I am supposed to leave which I would but don't you think I would take out a restraining order against him? What is different about this?

If anyone told me to do what they told her to do you bet that I would get courts involved and get a restraining order.

Originally Posted by Jessica80

I'm 32. If my husband told me that he was going to watch me while I sleep no matter where I am and I better turn on the computer or else, logically I am supposed to leave which I would but don't you think I would take out a restraining order against him? What is different about this?

If anyone told me what they told them you bet if I "ended" that part of the relationship I would get courts involved and get a restraining order.

Huh?

Sorry, my little one was talking at the same time...I did correct some weird wording.

What was wasting the courts time? That she pursued a restraining order against controlling people?

I was using the example that if my husband did it I would get a restraining order.