What is the most important part of parenting?  

I think all is very important.Don't forget spending time with your child is also very important,especially in these days.You need a good bond with your child,that way when they have a problem they'll feel they can come to you about it.

Got to put them all together if it is really gonna work!

celticeagle all of those are equally important but also respect your children as real little people and listen to them when they tell you
things not just pretend but really listen. An open line of communication
will ensure that children learn to respect and obey their parents as they
know both Mom and Dad will listen to what they say and always be there for them in times of trouble or good times. this means a parent must actually be a parent not slough the job off on the school systems.

I think it's all important. I think that timing for all of that is everything too. None of us are perfect and that is also something that should not be hidden from children. I think that sometimes in a parents quest to be all of those things that they forget to let their children really get to know them as people. I think that by letting our children see that sometimes we make mistakes too plus showing them how we overcome them...well...that can be a good lesson too.

Definitely a merging of all of these. Parenting is a really, really hard job.

All of the characteristics you've mentioned are important. But I guess, the most important of all is respect.My brother and I were hardly respected by our mom.
I could not forget the time when my brother and my mom had a huge fight. My brother told my mom that, we, as her children should also be respected. These words made my mom really angry. She uttered " why should I respect you, you're only my son!"

i haven't had any children yet, and i'm not sure that i ever definitely will, but to me the most important thing in my childhood was to be heard. i absolutely hated being ignored. i felt unwanted at times because no one would listen to me, and it's still a problem in my life now. i'm sure people don't always do it intentionally, but it really upsets me when i'm halfway through a sentance and the person i'm talking to starts talking over me, whether it's in the same subject or not. it's just rude, and alot of the time it lets me know that they're not listening to a word i'm saying. i think it's mportant to always listen to people, and children always want to be heard. listening is one of the easiest ways to show love and respect.