Co-Parenting
Co-Parenting issues can create conflict and stress within the marital bond as well as between the children. This can happen whether the parents are:
Married to each other with their own biological children…
Single with biological children and dating others with their own
biological children…
Married with their biological children and married to another
with their own biological children…
Married with no biological children but married to another with
their biological children…
A common refrain is: Maybe I would feel differently if they were my own biological children? Not true. Parents can feel disappointed, disrespected and disregarded by their own children just as easily.
Some common problems shared by blended families:
Some common problems shared by blended families:
Competition between the parents belonging to each set of
children as well as competition between each set of children…
Single parents fear parental replacement by remarriage of former
spouses…
These issues can lead to parental and child insecurities, arguments, and unhappiness. Children can experience disciplinary problems, low grades, loss of ambition, anger, isolation/withdrawal, drug and alcohol use.
It can lead to further alienation of the marital couple from each other and the children. The family can experience a slow downward spiral.
Other problems can result from differences in parenting styles:
It can lead to further alienation of the marital couple from each other and the children. The family can experience a slow downward spiral.
Other problems can result from differences in parenting styles:
Structured...
Unstructured...
Laissez Faire…
Unstructured...
Laissez Faire…
Each parent might allow for more exceptions to the rules at times when the other parent would not. Children become confused, feel a lack of control, anger and negative issues with authority.
These issues are addressed with the parents. Adjustments can be suggested which will suit each parent and help them to interact more harmoniously, leading the children to a better, happier experience of life within the family.
