Parenting
Parenting is defined as the ongoing, adaptive process of providing the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual support necessary for a child’s development from infancy to adulthood. Rather than a static set of rules, the American Counseling Association (ACA) views parenting as a dynamic relationship where the caregiver’s primary role is to foster a secure attachment while navigating the child's evolving developmental needs. Counselors evaluate parenting through the lens of specific dimensions—primarily the balance between responsiveness (warmth and support) and demandingness (boundaries and expectations)—to help families build resilience and healthy communication patterns.
