Parentings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of raising and nurturing children, encompassing emotional, educational, and physical support
2. A multifaceted process involving the guidance and development of offspring throughout their formative years
3. The responsibilities and practices associated with caring for and educating children in a family setting

Etymology: "Parentings" is the plural of "parenting," so it is the form used when speaking of several distinct ways or instances of raising children. The base word "parenting" is built from "parent" plus the suffix "-ing," which turns the noun into a verb-derived noun for the activity itself. Because "parent" was already well established in English as the person who begets or raises a child, "parenting" describes the work that role involves rather than the role itself.