mothering

American  

[muhth-er-ing] / ˈmʌð ər ɪŋ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of mothering

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

Example Sentences

In her new Netflix movie “Goodbye June,” she’s the one who needs mothering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

And it behooves city fathers and mothers to take this sentiment seriously, if they wish to keep mothering and fathering.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2024

"When she was in town, she was very involved," is how she diplomatically sums up Cass's mothering style.

From BBC • May 5, 2024

I wonder if Jesse Armstrong knows somebody like Lady Caroline, because there is such a specificity to her lousy mothering.

From New York Times • May 28, 2023

There was no point in flying us across the country for next to no mothering.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia