helicopter parenting

noun

, Informal.

1. a style of child rearing in which an overprotective mother or father discourages a child's independence by being too involved in the child's life:

   In typical helicopter parenting, a mother or father swoops in at any sign of challenge or discomfort.

Other Words From

• helicopter parent noun
• helicopter mom helicopter mother noun
• helicopter dad helicopter father noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicopter parenting¹

First recorded in 1985–90; so called because such a parent “hovers” like a helicopter

Example Sentences

Now, I had to believe then, I continue to believe it now, that helicopter parenting isn’t really very important.

From Freakonomics

This may sound like helicopter parenting, but as a full-time working mother my fear was of having given too little, not too much.

From The Daily Beast