motherhood

Motherhood is being a mother and taking care of one's children. It involves nurturing and supporting them from birth through childhood and beyond.

When people talk about motherhood, they usually mean the role of a woman who has given birth to or adopted a child. But the word also covers the broader concept of caring for and loving someone like a parent would. So even if you're not biologically related to your kids, being their mother figure can be considered a form of motherhood. For example, a teacher might say that they feel a special kind of motherhood bond with her students, or an aunt who's always been there for her nieces and nephews might talk about the joys of motherhood even though she isn't their mom by blood.