The Art Of Parallel Parenting – Five Steps Towards A Different Parenting Pathway
- Jun 17, 2024
- 3 min read
Jamille Edwards founded Golden Century Wellness—a sanctuary for those ready and willing to invest in their well-being. Through her work, Jamille aims not only to heal but to empower individuals to transcend societal stigmas and realize their fullest potential.
When two or more people get together and become parents they do not often plan to divorce or end their parenting relationship. When parents share the responsibilities of raising a child after a divorce or separation, this arrangement is called Co-parenting.
Co-parenting is meant to be a healthy form of parenting when both parents can create a safe, secure, and friendly environment. When this is less likely to happen then Parallel Parenting is a possibility.
Here are five steps towards a different parenting pathway
Learn what parallel parenting is
Parallel Parenting is a form of parenting that can be used when parents do not cooperate, create a healthy environment, and could benefit from having/using a separate parenting method. Parallel Parenting separates both parents' households and lifestyles to reduce negative interaction and allows parents to handle situations with support.
Explore the benefits of parallel parenting
Some marriages or relationships have ended due to domestic violence, infidelity, financial problems, substance abuse, incompatibility, or parenting differences. Recently, other causes have been due to medical/mental health concerns, and changes in sexuality types. With Parallel Parenting, the focus is on the child and not the parenting conflict. It also decreases negative interaction between parents and the child, includes the apps or non-verbal forms of communication that can be recorded or documented, identifies ways to limit physical contact when no contact or limited contact is appropriate and creates individualized forms of parenting.
Know when it can be applied
Parallel Parenting can be used as soon as the separation and/or divorce has been announced. It can be helpful during cases when both parents are ordered to go to counseling and/or meditation. It also works with most legal systems to address the core outline roles each parent will share, which are: visitation, finances, education, religion, medical/mental health, and extra activities.
Determine how parallel parenting can be applied
Parallel Parenting can allow parents to find resource tools to limit and document communication. Using Parallel Parenting, both parents can address only topics and information that are necessary and directly related to the child. It can allow parents to create an agreement on where the child can be exchanged during visitation, minimize direct and non-direct forms of interaction, and decrease misinterpretation. Sometimes parents use platforms to facilitate communication, or that way information is stored or shared when needed. Platforms or other tools can be calendars for planning events, doctor’s appointments, school-related documents, and other note-keeping.
Define what works for your parenting relationship
There are many resources to navigate parenting. While court orders are more structured forms of parenting planning, parents can embrace the idea of not forcing parenting strategies that cause them anger, hurt, pain, resentment, disappointment, depression, anxiety, trauma, conflict, or hardship. When parents are unable to work together it impacts the well-being of the child. Hopefully, the goal is for the parents to be healthy as well.
Parallel Parenting may not solve all the problems between two people, but it can be a solution to many of the problems. This type of parenting can become part of the parenting arraignment at any time. It is nice that both parents do not have to agree to the arrangement, as long as it is with the court order and able to demonstrate a based level of communication, parents can separate themselves from harm and emotional distress. This way parenthood can become a somewhat pleasant and rewarding experience.
Read more from Jamille Edwards
Jamille Edwards, Counselor, Educator, Consultant, Author, and Public Speaker
Jamille Edwards has invested a decade of her life exploring the intricacies of psychology, counseling, and spiritual practices. With a wealth of knowledge under her belt, she founded Golden Century Wellness—a platform that offers a diverse range of services aimed at promoting mental and emotional well-being. From personalized counseling and empowering coaching sessions to enlightening workshops, insightful articles, and impactful books, Jamille's mission is to guide individuals on their journey toward self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. Through her expertise and compassionate approach, she seeks to empower others to unlock their true potential and lead fulfilling lives.
