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.

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parenting

In ordinary situations, I was always trying to figure out how to appear smart, funny or interesting, wondering if they liked me, performing normalcy, coolness or good parenting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

I consider the parenting gurus, some of whom say you can tell your children “no” in a way that leaves them feeling secure and loved.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

But living close to family can come with unspoken expectations and occasional tension due to different parenting styles.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

What comes after “wine moms”: When Susannah Bradley was raising her young children, wine was many mom’s vice of choice to help them cope with the stresses of parenting.

From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026

Fear is in fact a major component of the act of parenting.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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