helicopter parenting

American  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• helicopter dad
  noun
• helicopter father
  noun
• helicopter mom
  noun
• helicopter mother
  noun
• helicopter parent
  noun

Etymology

Origin of helicopter parenting

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

helicopter parenting

You might see it as a form of helicopter parenting for adult children who frankly need “helicoptering.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 19, 2026

She criticizes helicopter parenting, decries remote work and tells women they should be willing to “piss people off” in order to be good leaders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

For instance, in Season 2, we see Ellie trying to establish her independence and get away from Joel’s helicopter parenting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2025

The helicopter parenting on show is largely a symptom of the smartphone era.

From BBC ● May 7, 2024

The case also fed into a wider national debate over what constitutes negligence in the era of helicopter parenting.

From New York Times ● Feb. 17, 2019