What is a snowflake?

[stepmommyof1]

People on here have used the term "snowflake parent". Not trying to be snarky, just asking- I have never heard that term, what does it mean? Thanks in advance.

 

[mhsjax]

People on here have used the term "snowflake parent". Not trying to be snarky, just asking- I have never heard that term, what does it mean? Thanks in advance.

It is a term that some people here love to use when they think that maybe just maybe you are a little too protective. It can be any little thing. Lately, it is a real pet peeve of mine. It is like it is the only thing some people know how to discuss. They automatically throw out the word snowflake.

 

[Jennasis]

Generally I think it is used to describe a kid who is so super-speshul and fragile (like a delicate snowflake) who must be hoisted up on a pedestal and sheltered from all negativity, lest said snowflake melt away. Usually owned by a helicopter-parent.

 

[Kat77]

You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are the same decaying organic matter as everyone else, and we are all part of the same compost pile. ~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, Chapter 17
http://www.quotegarden.com/bk-fc.html

 

[mamacatnv]

I think it refers to the child of parent who thinks that their child is better than any other, deserves more than any other, should be treated differently than any other etc. The child of a Helicopter parent might often be considered by others to be a snowflake.

The parent of a snowflake IMO only see's their child, they defend their child, throw down over their child and go on and on about how concessions should be made for their child. They fight their childs battles, do their homework and boast of their achievements to anyone who is within earshot. Their "snowy" will always have been there, done it etc. but always better or more accomplished than others.

I assume that since their child is so profoundly special, truly unique and one of a kind etc. that the term snowflake came into play.

 

[mhsjax]

Generally I think it is used to describe a kid who is so super-speshul and fragile (like a delicate snowflake) who must be hoisted up on a pedestal and sheltered from all negativity, lest said snowflake melt away. Usually owned by a helicopter-parent.

I like that last line. owned by a helicopter parent. That made me laugh. Thanks

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

It is a term that some people here love to use when they think that maybe just maybe you are a little too protective. It can be any little thing. Lately, it is a real pet peeve of mine. It is like it is the only thing some people know how to discuss. They automatically throw out the word snowflake.

I agree with you. It's getting old fast.

 

[Kycha]

Thanks OP for asking. I've been wondering what that means.

Generally I think it is used to describe a kid who is so super-speshul and fragile (like a delicate snowflake) who must be hoisted up on a pedestal and sheltered from all negativity, lest said snowflake melt away. Usually owned by a helicopter-parent.

Okay, so what does helicopter parent mean.

 

[NMAmy]

Okay, so what does helicopter parent mean.

A parent who hovers over their child, never allowing them to do anything without the parent's supervision and input.

As someone who has seen a lot of snowflakes and helicopter parents over the years, those phrases don't bother me at all. The label often fits.

The phrase that irritates me beyond all measure is "going Mama bear."

 

[NHdisneylover]

A parent who hovers over their child, never allowing them to do anything without the parent's supervision and input.

As someone who has seen a lot of snowflakes and helicopter parents over the years, those phrases don't bother me at all. The label often fits.

The phrase that irritates me beyond all measure is "going Mama bear."

Oh I totally agree with you (both on not minding snowflake or helicopter parent as phrases and on not liking "going all mama bear").

Both terms have been around a while (helicopter parent for a really long while) and both are used well beyond just the DIS. I am always surprised when I see people post here that they have not heard the terms elsewhere.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

I didn't know the term either...it was only recently I learned the term helicopter parent too.

 

[NikitaZee]

People on here have used the term "snowflake parent". Not trying to be snarky, just asking- I have never heard that term, what does it mean? Thanks in advance.

One of the most annoying and overused words on the DIS.

 

[Tiger926]

One of the most annoying and overused words on the DIS.

Along with helicopter - they both give me a They are both words beloved by a group of DISers who have taken it upon themselves to prove that most children are much too fragile, and parents are much too overprotective.

I'll disagree that both terms are widely used elsewhere. I read a million periodicals, journals and articles, and never heard the terms until I saw them being used on here. I did a search, and could not find those terms 'widely' used at all. Did find mention of them in a few parenting or psychology articles, but not that exact wording. Asked my teaching colleagues, and checked many of my Spec. Ed readings, and nothing there either.

Tiger

 

[bballmom56]

It is very commonly used among the higher education community with this generation of students. They have come to college with the attitude that they are so special and unique that the professors should be honored to have them in their classrooms. They shouldn't have to do menial work like research or writing papers, they should be able to do whatever they want in class (check email, text, come in late, leave in the middle then return, sleep) as well as miss class because they have something more important to do and the professor should understand that. Oh and their opinion matters just as much as the professor's, so how can they lose points on a paper for that.

Yeah, DH has had a lot of snowflakes in his classroom and some semesters it seems like a blizzard. He has only had a few helicopter parents though. He doesn't entertain that.

This is hardly a DIS exclusive term.

 

[mhsjax]

Maybe it depends on where you are from. It isn't used around here. I am the only one of my friends that comes here to the Dis. They have never heard of this term. I asked a friend of mine whose mother is a college professor, she had never heard of it. Like anything else, could be a regional thing.

 

[Momvic5]

One of the most annoying and overused words on the DIS.

Exactly!!

 

[bballmom56]

I believe DH heard (read) it for the first time years ago on some of the college discussion boards that faculty frequent to exchange ideas and discuss problems. Many faculty were experiencing the same things in regards to student attitude and behavior.

 

[Ceila]

I've heard it around here (southern NJ). It seems to often be the case that those who most dislike the term are the ones who tend to have one, lol.

 

[jrmasm]

I've heard it around here (southern NJ). It seems to often be the case that those who most dislike the term are the ones who tend to have one, lol.

(psst, that's what I was thinking)

I love the term because sometimes it's just so appropriate.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Along with helicopter - they both give me a They are both words beloved by a group of DISers who have taken it upon themselves to prove that most children are much too fragile, and parents are much too overprotective.

I'll disagree that both terms are widely used elsewhere. I read a million periodicals, journals and articles, and never heard the terms until I saw them being used on here. I did a search, and could not find those terms 'widely' used at all. Did find mention of them in a few parenting or psychology articles, but not that exact wording. Asked my teaching colleagues, and checked many of my Spec. Ed readings, and nothing there either.

Tiger

Well, I recall a sermon that our minister in Michigan gave that talked a lot about helicopter parents and a bit about snowflakes too. I can't be sure exactly when he gave it, but we moved away from Michigan in December 2003 so it had to be before that. I remember being surprised that the terms and moved out of academia and more into the mainstream (and it was a really good sermon so I remember it for other reasons too).