snowplow parent
noun (informal)

- a parent who removes obstacles from their child's path to prevent frustration or failure

- a hyper-involved caregiver who tries to smooth the way for a child’s success, often at the cost of independence

Psychology Today, Oxford Languages

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PHRASE ORIGIN

First popularized in a 2019 New York Times article, the term snowplow parent builds on earlier concepts like “helicopter parenting.” It refers to a parent who, like a snowplow, pushes aside any possible obstacle in a child’s path — whether academic, social, or emotional.

This parenting style became a media flashpoint during the college admissions scandals, where some wealthy parents pulled strings (or worse) to guarantee their children’s success.

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CONSEQUENCES OF CLEARING THE PATH

On the surface, snowplow parenting looks like love in action: protecting one’s child from pain. But over time, this protective impulse can backfire.

Children who never struggle may also never develop resilience. They learn that someone will fix things — rather than how to fix things themselves. And when real adversity arrives (as it always does), they may find themselves unprepared.

Snowplow parents often act with the best intentions. But the underlying message to the child is: “I don’t think you can handle this.”

Sometimes the most loving thing a parent can do is step back — and let the child shovel a little snow.

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

anxiety-driven parenting, bulldozer parent, fix-it parenting, hyper-involved parenting, lawnmower parent, overparenting, obstacle-clearing parent, micromanaging parent, helicopter parenting (extreme edition), success management, parental interference, outcome control, overprotective parent, path-smoothing parent, preemptive problem-solver, rescue-oriented parent, SNOWPLOW PARENT

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation today, say something like:

“Most people agree that SNOWPLOW PARENTING makes it harder for kids to learn to handle setbacks.”