mothering

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Mother \Moth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mothered}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Mothering}.]
   To adopt as a son or daughter; to perform the duties of a
   mother to.
   [1913 Webster]

         The queen, to have put lady Elizabeth besides the
         crown, would have mothered another body's child.
                                                  --Howell.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Mothering \Moth"er*ing\, n.
   A rural custom in England, of visiting one's parents on
   Midlent Sunday, -- supposed to have been originally visiting
   the mother church to make offerings at the high altar.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "mothering":
      TLC, bread, care, daily bread, economic support, endowment, keep,
      livelihood, living, maintenance, manna, meat, nourishment, nurture,
      price support, provision, subsidization, subsidy, subsistence,
      subvention, support, sustainment, sustenance, sustentation,
      tender loving care, upkeep

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