"If it interprets affiliates to include any business it has any dealings with, even a firm that supplies it with paper clips, then this clause could seriously limit future career choices of the worker."

A very good point, as these large corporations are in an almost constant state of flux, and there is no way of knowing what company could eventually be part of the conglomerate. 

As to the remarks about "helicopter parenting",  I see nothing wrong with  a young adult asking a parent for advice. Aren't we (parents) supposed  to become wiser with age and experience?