Conversely, I think parents who are too protective, too restrictive can be just as bad as the absent or absent-minded ones.
I did this special event at the Monterey Bay Aquarium several years ago. It was a kids' craft booth. All they had to do was cut construction paper and glue it to make a finger puppet.
One 8 year old kid's mom:
"Robbie's not allowed to use scissors. I'll do it for you, Robbie. You'll just cut yourself."
Now if the kid was special needs, I would have agreed. He wasn't.
Another:
"Jessica, you're cutting it all wrong, stay on the lines!"
Another:
"Nice finger puppet, I guess. Try it again."
Doing this event made my heart hurt. I decided then I shouldn't be a grade school teacher.
MW ~ I don't know if the event will require you to tattoo "grouch" on your forehead. I think it would have bugged anyone.