To be a helicopter parent, you need to be able to afford a helicopter. That seems to be the gist of a recent study that found money makes a much bigger difference than marital status when it comes to the practice of parenting. “This was particularly noticeable when it came to participation in extracurricular activities.”

+ The income gap has created an activity gap. From Alia Wong in The Atlantic: Access to after-school programs is growing more unequal, and that’s pushing disadvantaged kids further behind.

+ In the NYT, the author of a new book called The Opposite of Spoiled argues that you should tell your kids how much money you make. “It may sound improbable, but you can begin to initiate them when they’re as young as 5 or 6.” My kids are satisfied knowing that I make iPad money.