helicopter parenting

noun Informal.

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.

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Compare free-range parenting.

Origin of helicopter parenting

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

OTHER WORDS FROM helicopter parenting

helicopter parent, nounhelicopter mom, helicopter mother, nounhelicopter dad, helicopter father, noun

Words nearby helicopter parenting

helicopod gait, helicopt, helicopter, helicopter gunship, helicopter parent, helicopter parenting, helicopter view, helicospore, helicotrema, heliculture, helideck
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020