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Laws current as of August 8, 2025

What are parenting functions?

The term “parenting functions” means the decisions and tasks that a parent performs that are necessary for the care and growth of the child. Parenting functions include:

  • maintaining a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child;
  • attending to the daily needs of the child, such as:
    • feeding;
    • clothing;
    • physical care;
    • supervision;
    • health care; and
    • day care;
  • making sure the child is getting an adequate education;
  • helping the child in developing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships;
  • making good decisions regarding the child’s welfare, consistent with the child’s developmental level and the family’s social and economic circumstances; and
  • providing financial support for the child.1

1 R.C.W. § 26.09.004(2)

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