mothering

Meanings

1. The nurturing of a child by its mother.
2. The protective behavior of a mother towards her child.
3. Nurturing or protective behavior reminiscent of that performed by a literal mother.
4. Clipping of a-mothering (“practice of visiting one's literal or figurative mother or mother church”).

1. present participle and gerund of mother

Etymology

By surface analysis, mother + -ing.