Why do I hate “parent” used as a verb (to parent, parenting) so much?

[IAmYoungerThanThatNow]

Why do I hate “parent” used as a verb so much?

”Your DH should parent his child”

”They needed step up and to do some parenting”

I loathe it but don’t know why. Does anyone else hate it and can they explain why?

(Lighthearted - I am not saying people shouldn’t say this commonly used idiom and do not judge people who do, I am just interested in understanding why I detest it so much 😂)

There do appear to be many fashionable words and phrases used on Mumsnet that you don't tend to hear very much in the real world. Perhaps it is the combination of perceived smugness + hackneyed cliché that makes the use of "parenting" as a verb so annoying.

Yes, is there an element of “if you don’t do things in the way I would then you’re not being a proper parent?” Which would be fine if we’re talking about neglect or abuse or a serious failure of being a parent, but I’m going to hazard a guess this wasn’t the case here?

It’s like the person using the expression in this way is assuming a level of righteousness to themself, that they are the arbiter of being a good parent, by using this wording (not always, of course).

I wonder if it’s used a lot more on MN than in the real world?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard it used IRL.