Testing time, ex pondering about taking away second son and daughter (13)

I believe the answer is:

experimenting

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'testing' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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