Day 288: The Duties of Parents

Parents' respect and affection are expressed by the care and attention they devote to bringing up their young children and providing for their physical and spiritual needs. As the children grow up, the same respect and devotion lead parents to educate them in the right use of their reason and freedom. CCC 2228

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses the duties of parents with their children under the Fourth Commandment. These include being the "first heralds" for their children in the Faith. By raising them in Christ from an early age, being an example of proper living in Christ, they will fulfill their responsibility and provide one of the best gifts to their children and future progeny. Showing love for others, giving good advice, and setting a sterling example in all facets of life are among the duties parents owe their children. 

The Catechism Compendium summarizes the duties of parents toward their children:

Parents, in virtue of their participation in the fatherhood of God, have the first responsibility for the education of their children, and they are the first heralds of the faith for them. They have the duty to love and respect their children as persons and as children of God and to provide, as far as is possible, for their physical and spiritual needs. They should select for them a suitable school and help them with prudent counsel in the choice of their profession and their state of life. In particular, they have the mission of educating their children in the Christian faith. (#460)

The Catechism Companion Vol III has some good commentary on this:

The purpose of the love between husband and wife is not solely bringing children into the world but also guiding the souls of their children. Some parenting styles involve overprotectiveness and overpreparation for children's physical safety, but parents' primary duty is to see that the children get to heaven. Parents are irreplaceable. No matter how good a teacher is, a teacher cannot take the role of a parent... When parents fall short, they should own up and seek forgiveness as a way to lead their children. They can demonstrate what it is like to be a real human being who is striving to be holy but is not perfect. (p. 92)

Something I'd like to point out from the commentary above is the role of teachers. I'm a teacher myself, and unfortunately, some in my profession have become confused over our proper roles and those of parents. As much as we care for our students, they are not our children. The responsibility given to parents over their children must, and rightfully should, take priority over anyone else, except in the most dire of circumstances. So, for those arguing "it takes a village to raise a child," that's fine, but what they leave out is that the parent, who loves and knows the child better, is more important than anyone else in their lives.