mother-hen
Overprotective hovering type
To mother-hen is to fuss over someone with excessive protective attention, like a hen guarding her chicks: Stop mother-henning me—I can take care of myself.
A mother hen is someone who habitually does this, watching over others with anxious, hovering concern.
The term carries mild criticism, suggesting the attention is smothering rather than helpful.
Showing kind concern
- protectiveServing to guard
- dotingExcessively affectionate toward
- fussingAnxious, trivial agitation
- coddlingOverindulgent, protective treatment
attentive · supportive · comforting · affectionate · tender · gentle · warmth · devoted
Depriving of air
- overprotectiveGuarding too zealously
- controllingExerting authority over others
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
- fussyExcessively particular
intrusive · hovering · suffocating · bossy · clingy · nagging · micromanaging · interfering
caring
Showing kind concern
- protectiveServing to guard
- dotingExcessively affectionate toward
- fussingAnxious, trivial agitation
coddling · attentive · supportive · comforting · affectionate · tender · gentle · warmth · devoted · solicitous
smothering
Depriving of air
- overprotectiveGuarding too zealously
- controllingExerting authority over others
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
fussy · intrusive · hovering · suffocating · bossy · clingy · nagging · micromanaging · interfering · possessive
guardian
Protective caretaker of another
keeper · safeguard · sheltering · shield · custodian · overseer · sentinel · warden · chaperone · lookout
mother-henhands-off
Not directly involved
laissez-faire · neglectful · permissive · uninvolved · detached
mother-henneglectful
Failing to care properly
indifferent · cold · uncaring · aloof · disengaged
mother, hen, mothers, mothered, mothering, motherly, motherhood, motherless, grandmother