Esther McCarthy: Does tracking my teenager and his can of cider make me a helicopter parent? 

"I don’t want to normalise being tracked for my kids. I have to trust them and let them do their thing without micromanaging their avatar that’s popped up in Douglas when they said they were going to Bishopstown."

The celebration of Junior Cert exam results can be a tricky one - for students and parents. Pic: iStock

Shhh! Do you hear it? That rhythmic whirring, over a low-pitch hum? It’s the whomp-whomp-whomp of fear of becoming a helicopter parent. 

Now that my middle fella has turned 13, I’m the proud mam of two teenagers and one pre-tween. I’m struggling to figure out when you step in and when you feck off out of their business.