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Crook said he was floored by the ministry’s “Cover Your Ass” decision and says the helicopter-style of parenting being promoted — in which parents hover over their children to minimize exposure to risks — is the reason why we are now seeing so many “infantilized” young adults who need their parents to accompany them to job interviews.

I am trying to grow responsible humans. ... It doesn't make sense

“The job of a parent is to raise (children) to not need you as fast as possible,” said Crook, who is divorced and has custody of the children 50 per cent of the time. “I’m trying to grow responsible humans. … It doesn’t make sense.”

A ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday she could not discuss specific cases. In a statement, she said there is no specific age in legislation — federally or provincially — that dictates when a child can be unsupervised.

When the ministry receives a complaint, staff consider a number of factors, including the maturity and comfort level of the child who is being left alone, safety measures that are in place, and the child’s access to responsible adults.

“Each and every time the ministry is contacted we look into the circumstances, assess the risk to the child (or children) and the parent’s ability to provide care, and – based on those findings – take the most appropriate course of action.”

Photo by Nick Procaylo/ Postmedia News

Crook said a couple years ago he would accompany his four oldest children for the entire 45-minute journey from their home in Yaletown, a neighbourhood outside downtown, to their school in North Vancouver. Then he started easing off, accompanying them only for the first leg of their journey and then letting them go on their own after a downtown bus transfer, so he could take his youngest to pre-school.