gängeln — to keep someone in leading strings, to patronize constantly. It comes from an old verb meaning “to make walk.”
bevormunden — to treat someone as a ward
jemanden an der kurzen Leine halten — to keep someone on a short leash
jemandem über die Schulter schauen — to look over someone’s shoulder
das Mikromanagement — micromanagement
der Kontrollfreak — the control freak