Legal Definitions - psychological parent

A psychological parent is someone who provides for a child's emotional and physical needs on a regular basis. This person may be the biological parent, a foster parent, a guardian, a common-law parent, or someone unrelated to the child. The psychological parent plays a significant role in the child's life and is responsible for their well-being.

For example, a step-parent who has been living with a child for several years and has taken on a parental role may be considered a psychological parent. Another example could be a foster parent who has been caring for a child for an extended period and has formed a strong bond with them.

The concept of a psychological parent is important in family law cases, as it recognizes the importance of a stable and nurturing relationship between a child and their caregiver, even if that person is not the child's biological parent.