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.

Compare free-range parenting.

Origin of helicopter parenting

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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018