parenting

American  

[pair-uhn-ting, par-] / ˈpɛər ən tɪŋ, ˈpær- /

noun

1. the rearing of children.

   The schedule allows her very little time for parenting.

2. the methods, techniques, etc., used or required in the rearing of children.

   a course in parenting.

3. the state of being a parent; parenthood.

---

adjective

1. of or concerned with the rearing of children.

   good parenting skills.

parenting British  

/ ˈpɛərəntɪŋ /

noun

1. the care and upbringing of a child

---

Usage

Parenting has come to be favored over parenthood, rearing, and bringing up in sociological and educational literature and in popular writing.

Etymology

Origin of parenting

First recorded in 1955–60; parent + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The show started out with Alice parenting a troubled child in her father.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

We asked some parenting experts for their tips on how to pry those phones away from their offspring's hands – even if only for a short while.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Welcome to the “Hunger Games” of parenting: summer camp sign-up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Instead, you could consult a licensed parenting coach, says Erin Kopelman, a Maryland-based divorce attorney.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

And at the Dawn Truce, the other mothers were eager to share their parenting advice.

From "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown