Parents often join together, or get married, to raise a family.
They have visions of feeling more fulfilled by having either one or more children. For some, the love they feel for each other is magnified in the love they feel for their children.
But what happens to the bliss?
For some, the conflicts between them in how to raise children, the difficulty of handling uncooperative behavior, and the disappointment of unmet expectations in each other, can put a huge strain on their personal relationship.
Many parents tell me how their partnership was happier before they had children.
They love their children, yet the times of feeling love is often less than the times of feeling frustration, hurt, or anger. They want change now.
Never fear! You can feel hopeful and have a supportive and happy partnership.
Raising children can actually become an opportunity for deep inner growth and greater fulfillment with the right resources and guide.
First, know you are not alone in the challenge of building a united parenting approach and ask for guidance.
Second, be willing to openly explore the five common areas of parenting discord so you can become closer with your partner or if divorced, create a respectful and supportive relationship.
1. How do you want your relationship with your kids to look, sound, and feel like?
2. How much conflict are you comfortable experiencing as you set limits and why?
3. How dedicated are you to holding on to your own method of parenting rather than being open to new ideas and why?
4. How much do your methods of parenting differ from each other?
5. How much do you value and am willing to work towards developing emotional closeness with your children and your partner?
If you have had discussions or fights in any of these areas, you know how passionate they can become.
So the third step is to have a guide – referee to lead you through compromise to an agreed upon unified and supportive parenting approach.
My clients have learned that parenting as a team makes raising children not only manageable, it even becomes enjoyable and strengthens their love and reason for being together long into the empty nest stage.
Learn more about Building Family Harmony with a Unified Parenting PlanÂ
Copyright 2015 Cynthia Klein, Parenting Guide, bridges2understa.wpstagecoach.com, 650.679.8138. Contact Cynthia for private coaching sessions, classes, and to invite her to speak to your organization.
