alloparent
Non-biological child-rearer
An alloparent is an individual other than a biological parent who helps care for offspring—a grandparent, older sibling, aunt, or unrelated group member.
The term comes from biology and anthropology, where alloparenting describes cooperative childcare arrangements observed across many species, including humans.
Alloparents allow mothers to forage while infants remain protected.
Baptismal ceremony guardian
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- nannyHired child caretaker
- babysitterHired child caretaker
- au pairForeign live-in childcare worker
wet nurse · stepparent · grandparent · uncle · aunt · childminder · helper · caregiver
Relatives beyond parents, siblings
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
- kinBlood-connected people
- relativeConnected by blood
grandmother · grandfather · older sibling · aunt · uncle · cousin · communal · village
Caring for others' children temporarily
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- fosteringPromoting development or growth
- childcareSupervision of young ones
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
protection · nourishment · guidance · upbringing · mentoring · support · socialization · discipline
Approach to producing young
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- provisioningSupplying resources in advance
- lactationMammary gland secretion
- fitnessGood physical shape
godparent
Baptismal ceremony guardian
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- nannyHired child caretaker
- babysitterHired child caretaker
au pair · wet nurse · stepparent · grandparent · uncle · aunt · childminder · helper · caregiver · sponsor
extended family
Relatives beyond parents, siblings
relative · grandmother · grandfather · older sibling · aunt · uncle · cousin · communal · village · matrilineal
babysitting
Caring for others' children temporarily
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- fosteringPromoting development or growth
- childcareSupervision of young ones
supervision · protection · nourishment · guidance · upbringing · mentoring · support · socialization · discipline · feeding
reproductive strategy
Approach to producing young
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- provisioningSupplying resources in advance
- lactationMammary gland secretion
alloparentbiological parent
One who conceived offspring
birth parent · natural parent · biological mother · biological father · birth mother
alloparentprimary caregiver
Main person providing care
parent · mother · father · custodial parent