Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and endless learning opportunities. As parents, we want to create strong bonds with our children, love, trust, and support their growth. One effective approach that can significantly enhance this connection is team parenting. The Team Parenting approach is often viewed as "agreeing on a shared approach of parenting with your partner" often excluding the children all together from any kind of decision making in the family dynamic. I'm here to debunk that by adding that "Team Parenting" practices do not exclude "the children", is about raising children as team(everyone involved) and working together with your parenting tribe.
There is something about raising a child along with someone else that makes you see the differences in your parenting styles stemming from the way you were parented, whether it's you and your partner. It might be that you are a co-parent across the divide of divorce or separation. Or you may be a single parent who relies on friends or family members for support. But understanding who is in your parenting team (your tribe), and finding ways to work with them is crucial.
When you watch other people parent, it's easy to judge and think they're doing it "wrong." Often, that means they're doing things differently from how you would do them or in a way that goes against your own beliefs. But, in the reality of parenting, there isn't one correct or perfect way to parent. Within the range of being both nurturing and setting boundaries, there's a lot of flexibility. It involves making judgment calls based on what feels right for you and your child.
Being a team in parenting means moving away from the mindset of right and wrong. It means recognizing the value that each person brings to the team (including the children). It involves having conversations focused on the needs of the family, while setting aside your differences and finding constructive solutions.
It's about finding a way forward that works for everyone. And yes, nobody said it would be easy!
In this blog post, we will explore the concept of team parenting and discuss the various ways it can strengthen the connection with your child.
Why raising kids in a Parenting Team environment is important?
The way that you and your parenting team interact with each other has a big influence on your child. Working together with people responsible for raising and taking care of your kids, may raise some concerns. These people could be your partner, grandparents, babysitters, teachers, coaches, or other adults involved who become part of your tribe whether you agree with it or not. Building good relationships with them is really important for your children's happiness and development. It also helps make your experience as a parent more enjoyable creating a collaborative environment where not only one person is carrying the load on their own.
Raising children as a team gets easier with time and practice. There are also some skills that can help you with parenting teamwork:
Improved Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, including the parent-child bond. When parents adopt a team parenting approach, they prioritize open and honest communication with parenting team and their children.
By actively listening to their children's thoughts, concerns, and aspirations, parents/caregivers can gain a deeper understanding of their child's needs and emotions. Regular family meetings and discussions can create a safe space for family members to express themselves and feel heard. This enhanced communication fosters trust, strengthens the adult-child connection, and helps resolve conflicts more effectively.
Shared Responsibility
In a team parenting dynamic, every family member shares the responsibilities of managing a home . It’s about agreeing on things like family routines, nutrition and rules. It's about sharing the mental load and caring for each other and your child while making sure that everyone has time to do things they enjoy (self-care).
By distributing tasks and actively participating in a trust-based collaborative relationship, parents can alleviate the burden of parenting and create a more balanced environment. Sharing responsibilities not only allows for more quality time with the child but also enables parents to model teamwork, independence, self-efficacy and cooperation. When children witness their parents working together, they learn valuable life skills such as collaboration, having ownership, compromise, and problem-solving.
Enhanced Trust
Trust is crucial in any relationship, and the parent-child relationship is no exception. Team parenting helps build trust between parents and children by creating a consistent and reliable support system. When parents are on the same page and consistently practice setting clear and firm expectations, boundaries, and consequences, children feel secure and develop trust in their parents' guidance as well as in their inner voice. The trust established through team parenting encourages children to confide in their parents/ caregivers, not be afraid to seek advice, and share their experiences, strengthening the bond between them.
Tips and Strategies
Implementing team parenting in daily life can be a transformative experience for both parents and children.
Here are some practical tips and strategies to help you adopt a team parenting approach:
Establish regular family meetings to discuss important matters and allow everyone to have a voice.
Create a shared calendar to keep track of family activities, appointments, and commitments.
Divide household chores and responsibilities equally between parents and involve children in age-appropriate tasks without "controlling". Remember that allowing for each individual to take ownership of the way they complete their assigned task is crucial for trust-based relationship, and building autonomy in our children.
Encourage open and respectful communication by setting aside dedicated time for family conversations.
Set clear expectations and consistent boundaries to create a sense of security and structure.
Support each other as parents by actively listening, offering assistance, and providing emotional support.
Team parenting is a powerful approach that can significantly strengthen the connection between parents and their children. By embracing improved communication, shared responsibility, and enhanced trust, parents can create a supportive and loving environment where their children can thrive. Implementing the practical tips and strategies provided in this blog post can help you embark on a fulfilling journey of team parenting.
Join the Tribe Transformation!
I'm excited to announce the launch of our Tribe Transformation 3-Day Bootcamp, designed to help you navigate common parenting challenges with a partnership mindset and empower you with effective techniques for transitioning from a " You must do as I say" to a " I trust you are capable of" approach.
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In this bootcamp, you will learn valuable tools to nurture your inner child in order to guide your child's confidence, independence, and autonomy without overcontrolling. We believe that in conscious parenting we should and want to support you on your journey. By enrolling in our bootcamp, you will gain access to a wealth of resources and ongoing support that will help you thrive as a conscious parent.
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Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Enroll today, February 26th and enjoy the Early birds special price of $39. After that, the price will increase to $100.
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Take advantage of this limited-time offer and secure your spot now!
If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out. I am here to support you on your conscious parenting journey!
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Best regards,
Sharon Medina
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