Parallel Parenting VS Co Parenting

Co Parenting Vs Parallel Parenting

Most of us understand the term co parenting but the term parallel parenting seems to be less often used and although there are many parents who parallel parent, they might be unaware there is now a name for it.  Let's dive into the differences between co parenting verse parallel parenting and find out which parenting type you are.  Trust me, it is very simple and you will know right away which type of situation you are in. 

This article is short and to the point!

Co parenting:  The basis of a co parenting situation is essentially two parents who have conversations directly with one another in order to figure out schedules and possibly discuss things that might be happening in each household.  As a co parent you might not have a great relationship with the other parent but you at least have enough of a relationship to be able to communicate with one another about the children.  Co parenting is the best ideal situation for the children because they are less likely to have over loads of stress and anxiety that trickle down from their parents.  If you are co parenting then more power to you and you should be proud of yourself because co parenting is not an ideal situation for anyone!  In order to remain on a co parenting level you need to have a good balance of respect and communication for each other and have the child's best interest in mind.  

Parallel parenting: The basis of a parallel parenting situation is essentially two parents who can not have conversations directly with one another.  This is the opposite of co parenting and the children often times suffer more stress from parallel parenting.  Parallel parenting is where two parents have almost NO communication with each other or any sort of contact what so ever. Pick up and drop off is normally done somewhere like school or day care and the child becomes the middle man of communication for the parents.  Unfortunately this happens so often and it can have long lasting effects on the children.  If you are a parallel parent and have no contact with the other parent the best thing to do is to figure out a way to become co parents.  Check out more articles on the main page for tips and tricks.  Also, learn to never speak badly about the other parent in front of your children.  This step alone will bring some comfort to the children. Parallel parenting is often times the result of a nasty divorce or break up and one or both adults can not learn to put their children's needs first.  Situations like this keep the parents blinded by the fact that they are focused around the hate of the other parent to the point that they are not "actually" putting their children first by learning to co parent.   

So what kind of parenting situation do you have?  Learn the best tips and tricks on how to become the best co parents on the main page and hopefully you can learn to have a great relationship with your ex spouse!

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Overcoming the Co-Parenting Trap: Essential Parenting Skills When a Child Resists a Parent

Stay strong and keep on going, you are doing great and you got THIS!!