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Parenting and Your Parental Rights

Parenthood can be a tough job for many parents, but it is also one of the most rewarding. This parenting section explains the basics and your legal rights of being a parent.

BEING A PARENT: This guide is full of helpful tips and free advice for modern families. The aim is to make parenting easier.

Parenthood begins from pregnancy and runs through to graduation. But, there is a lot of parenting to carry out between these two phases.

Let's start by explaining the meaning of parenting. It is the process of child rearing - or raising children.

But, being a parent includes promoting and supporting your child as well. As a young offspring, they will need their parents' help through the many different parts of child development.

Children grow quickly from infancy to adulthood. But they will experience emotional, physical, social, and intellectual changes throughout.

The principle role of a parenting is raising a child. But, acting as a mother or a father goes beyond the biological relationship. This parenting rules guide aims to fill the gaps where help and advice makes a difference.

A Guide to Parenthood

Child Learning and Children's Safety Regulations GuideChild Learning and Safety

CHILD EMPLOYMENT: Legislation on child employment has certain restrictions for teenagers under 18 years old. Check what type of work young workers can do and for how many hours each week.

RULES FOR CHILDREN: Helping parents establish basic house rules for small kids and toddlers. The list of rules for children help improve family life and well-being for youngsters.

POLICE CHECK: You can get the police to check the background of someone involved with a child. Once you visit your local police station they will see if the person has a record of sexual offences.

Arranging Child Maintenance YourselfChild Maintenance

ENFORCEMENT ACTION: There are several ways of enforcing a child maintenance decision. Find out how to get enforcement action of child maintenance if one parent lives abroad.

FAMILY-BASED ARRANGEMENT: There are advantages of arranging child maintenance yourself instead of the Child Maintenance Options. Find out how to arrange child maintenance using family-based arrangements.

Early Years Foundation StageEarly Years Foundation Stage

EYFS FRAMEWORK: The standards set out in the early years foundation stage is statutory guidance - issued by law. Thus, all early years providers must follow the EYFS curriculum and framework.

Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA)Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA)

JUNIOR ISA: The guide explains how to open a Junior Individual Savings Account (ISA) for a child. Find out how to manage the account and add money into a Junior ISA.

Becoming the Legal Parent of a Child in the United KingdomLegal Parenthood of Children

CHILD ABDUCTION: You can get help to apply to have your child returned if they got abducted. They can also help to arrange contact with a child taken abroad.

PARENTAL ORDER: Check how to become the legal parent of a child in the United Kingdom. Find out how to get a parental order using the C52 acknowledgement form.

RE-REGISTER A BIRTH: It is not always possible for the father to be present following a birth. But, there is a way to add a father's name to a birth certificate at a later date.

CORRECT A BIRTH CERTIFICATE: Certain people can apply to change the original registration. Check out how to correct a birth registration with the register office.

DNA TESTING: The tests are commonly used in child maintenance cases and in inheritance disputes. The guide explains how to get a DNA test in the United Kingdom.

Apply for Short-term CareShort-term Care

RESPITE CARE: You can apply for short-term care to get a break from caring for a disabled child. The council will inform you what activities are available for children with disabilities.

Surrogacy: Legal Rights of Parents and SurrogatesSurrogacy

SURROGATES: Some couples consider surrogacy as a practical arrangement for creating a family. Check out the legal rights for surrogates and intended parents when using surrogates or donors.

If Your Child is Taken into CareTaken into Care

CAFCASS: Children may get taken into care if there are professional concerns about their welfare. Find out what happens if your child is taken into care and who has the responsibility for making decisions.

Alcohol Laws Under 18 GuideUnderage Drinking

UNDER 18: Stopping your child getting and drinking alcohol can be a challenge. Even so, you should be aware of underage drinking laws and the penalties.

Parenting and Your Parental Rights in the United Kingdom