Positive Parenting — Parenting Together

Child specialists have found that children who are most successful in life are those who were raised by two parents who care about each other and love their child. Even when two parents are not living together, whether because of divorce, separation or just living in separate homes, parenting together is important to the child’s success.

Parenting together is giving your special son or daughter the best in life. Working with someone else takes some extra effort and planning to raise a child who is happy and healthy. Three areas important to parenting together are:

Agreeing — As parents, you need to come to an agreement on the basic values you want to instill, what behavior is allowed / not allowed (boundaries), and ways to discipline (which means to teach)

Consistency — Once you have agreed on all of the above issues, lovingly stick with them! Even when you are tired, even when you’re feeling guilty or mean, even when your child tries to wrap you around his or her little finger.

Supportive of one another — There will be time when parents don’t agree with one another about a parenting issue (tone of voice, too strict, too permissive). It is very important that you discuss these differences in private. The only time to contradict your partner is if the discipline or parenting is physically or emotionally dangerous to your child.

Working together as partners in parenting is one of the most loving gifts you can give your child.