apron string

These women have no notion of anything beyond their own apron strings.

So he was to be tied to the old man's apron strings yet again!

All parents, at one time or another, must decide how and when to "cut the apron strings."

No boy ought to keep on being tied to his mother's apron strings.

Sometimes, though, the apron strings can be tied a little too tightly.

Naturally he was pulling away from his mother's apron strings.

You can't tie him to your apron strings forever, woman.

I do not keep him tied to my apron strings.

Can we therefore formulate a new policy for cutting our American apron strings?

What annoyed the young woman was to have him continually tied to her apron strings.