mothering

[ muhth-er-ing ]

noun

1. the nurturing of a child by a mother or in the way that a mother does:

   I'm so relieved to be finally able to do the mothering of my children in my own home.

2. the act of caring for or protecting like a mother, sometimes in an excessive way:

   Even though her cold wasn't better yet, she was getting tired of his mothering.

3. (in rural England) the custom of visiting one's parents on Laetare Sunday with a present.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mothering¹

First recorded in 1640–50; mother ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In a statement, released through Cambridgeshire Police, his mother said she did not know why she had not heard from her son on Mothering Sunday.

From BBC

Reflecting on her character's journey in the film, Adams explained: "Through her parenting - through her mothering - she got in touch with something bigger and something primal."

From BBC

But the mothering role has been usurped by Roman’s mother, Tara, with whom the couple lives in Adamsville, N.Y., a small town undergoing a post-COVID gentrification.

From Los Angeles Times

Katja’s idea, which I’m thrilled by, was that she sees that it’s demonic and covers for it, which plays into the idea of mothering, which has been the very nature of the character from the very beginning.

From Los Angeles Times

"You couldn’t fault her mothering. She kissed him, cleaned him and she was so gentle with him," she said.

From BBC