be tied to (one's) mother's apron strings
To be controlled or dominated by one's mother. I'm worried that my husband will forever be tied to his mother's apron strings—he's a grown man but still does every little thing she asks! Can you make a decision on your own, or are you tied to your mother's apron strings?
be tied to your mother's apron strings
If someone is tied to their mother's apron strings, they are still dependent on their mother when they should be independent. A man who is still tied to his mother's apron strings is no use to me.