• Parenting involves so much more than play time.parents kiss son image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
  
  Parents have legal responsibilities to their children. If these are not met, the parents can be arrested and the children may be removed from the home. But the duties of parents extend beyond legalities. Parents should be emotionally invested in their children, supportive and kind. Prospective parents should consider all that is involved in parenting before they have a child.
  
  

Legal Obligations

• Parents are legally obligated to provide adequate shelter for their children. This does not mean spacious accommodations with luxury furnishings. It means a roof overhead and a reasonable living space.
  
  Parents must also make sure their children have access to food. Though there is no set diet parents need to follow, having food with good nutritional value is best.
  
  Parents must dress their children. Kids do not need to have designer fashions or the latest trends, but their bodies need to be covered appropriately.
  
  Children must also have access to adequate health care. Cosmetic dentistry is not legally required, but certain immunizations are if you want your children to attend school.
  
  Providing educational opportunities to your children is another legal obligation for parents. This can include home schooling, public or private education.
  
  

Safe Environment

• Parents should provide a safe environment for their children. Do not smoke in the car or house, as secondhand smoke can harm others. Keep small objects out of reach when you have babies and toddlers. Don't allow young children to cook on the stove while unsupervised, as they could get burned. Use approved car safety seats and seat belts when transporting children. Make sure your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are working and always have charged batteries. Keep your home clean. It does not have to be spotless, but you do not want dust, pet dander or mold in your home. You also do not want to attract bugs or rodents.
  
  

Discipline

• As parents, you are responsible for providing fair and appropriate discipline to your children. Kids need to know acceptable and appropriate behavior. When they make a poor choice that requires discipline or behave in an objectionable manner, you need to correct it. According to Chris Theisen, author of “The Parent Coach Plan,” effective discipline should be “structured, consistent, predictable and fair.”
  
  

Support

• Children need the support of their parents. Kids need to know you accept them for themselves. Be encouraging when your child tries something new and applaud all successes, big and small. Have high but attainable expectations for your child and help him reach his goals.
  
  

Respect

• Show your child respect and likely you will get it in return. Do not call her names or put her down. Have open discussions with her and ask for her opinion. Respect her privacy and need for space. Acknowledge when you are wrong and she is right.