Coparenting in PSP Families
Topics: Family
Coparenting is an aspect of the couple relationship that focuses solely on children in the family. The term is often used to describe a relationship when parents are separated or divorced but also has meaning for parents who work nonstandard hours and tag-team parent.
Coparenting requires that two or more parents work together to coordinate schedules, reach consensus on the socialization and disciplining of children, and contribute their fair share to childcare. This can be particularly challenging for PSP families who have to contend with rotating shifts, long shifts, overtime, and call-ins.
things to consider…
- Mapping out your work schedules and social calendars together to identify gaps and overlaps ahead of time (e.g., syncing online calendars).
- Having check-ins regarding child behaviour and reaching consensus on consistent ways to respond to these behaviours.
- Monitoring childcare responsibilities to ensure that both parents are taking on a fair share and making adjustments.
- Having back-up plans (make a list) for childcare if the PSP family member is called into work or will be late (e.g., babysitter, extended family, neighbour) see Navigating the Childcare Scramble – Childcare Support List.
- Discussing work schedules with children (in age-appropriate ways) to help them understand why plans might change.
Skill building:
References for this page (click to expand)
Feinberg, M. E., Boring, J., Le, Y., Hostetler, M. L., Karre, J., Irvin, J., & Jones, D. E. (2020). Supporting military family resilience at the transition to parenthood: A randomized pilot trial of an online version of family foundations. Family Relations, 69(1), 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12415
Paley, B., Lester, P., & Mogil, C. (2013). Family systems and ecological perspectives on the impact of deployment on military families. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16(3), 245-265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-013-0138-y
Täht, K., & Mills, M. (2012). Nonstandard work schedules, couple desynchronization, and parent–child interaction: A mixed-methods analysis. Journal of Family Issues, 33(8), 1054-1087. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X11424260
Zhao, Y., Cooklin, A. R., Richardson, A., Strazdins, L., Butterworth, P., & Leach, L. S. (2021). Parents’ shift work in connection with work–family conflict and mental health: Examining the pathways for mothers and fathers. Journal of Family Issues, 42(2), 445-473. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20929059