Child custody and guardianship are legal terms which are sometimes used to describe the legal relationship between a parent and his or her child . It includes such things as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child , and the parent 's duty to care for the child . Child custody and guardianship are legal terms which are sometimes used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child , such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child , and the parent 's duty to care for the child .