Parenting from a United Front
Email 1
Copy/Paste the following email:
Subject Line: Parenting from a United Front, Part One
Hello Parents!
Between us as parents, it can become stressful as we work together to present a united front on parenting issues that come up.
That is actually what this month’s Online Parenting Class is all about, “Parenting from a United Front”.
As you watch this short video, hopefully it helps you shape a plan and prayer for parenting together over these months of extra time together as a family. Whether it be in those downtime moments of boredom, long vacation rides in the car, or the normal sibling arguing, use these helpful hints to come together to parent.
Remember, you are not doing this parenting-thing alone. You have each other. You have me, available as always. Most importantly, you have God. Even in the tensest moments, take a step back and ask Him for help.
As the end of the video says, “Parenting is an adventure”.
Praying for you, your spouse, and your kids!
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/257631271/199de01d1f
In Him,
Children’s Pastor
Email 2
Copy/Paste the following email:
Subject Line: Parenting from a United Front, Part 2
Hello, Hello Moms, Dads and Amazing Adults in the Lives of Kids:
We are back around with another great Online Parenting Class, to inspire and inform you! It is a quick couple minutes of your month to give you the tools you need to continue to do what God has blessed you to be able to do, raise Godly kids!
This month is another great video, that I am sure you will love. It is about “Parenting from a United Front”.
We all have those moments when we feel like Satan is trying to “divide and conquer” us as parents. An issue arises, and we find ourselves feeling at odds with each other as parents. Suddenly, our unity is being challenged by an issue, big or small, and we are not sure what to do!
There are FOUR great things the video suggests as solid advice. I especially love the idea of making it an opportunity to get a babysitter and have some dinner privately to talk intentionally.
I also completely agree with the idea of making sure to support each other publicly while waiting until later to talk privately. It’s such a common-sense suggestion, but one we often struggle with in the moment.
The final suggestion is one that I have never thought about in the way they suggested. Once again, being intentional in parenting by making a yearly plan that matches up with each child’s age/stage of life. This is one that I would love to help you with as part of our ministry to you as parents. We have some great resources about each stage of your children’s lives, that we would love to share with you, if you are interested.
I hope you enjoyed these suggestions. Please keep me informed on how I can continue to support you and pray for you throughout this month!
Grace and Peace,
Children’s Pastor
Video Script
Parenting from a United Front
Have you ever found yourself fighting with your spouse about parenting more than actually parenting? I have, and I bet you have to. There are just times when mom and dad have a different view on how parenting moments should go down.
In this online parenting class we are going to process how we can parent from a united front. How do we work toward common goals as parents and stay on the same page as we invest in our kids?
Learning to parent from a united front is critical right now because your kids are not teens. Your children are young, and their freedom is limited. This is key because right now you get to practice when you have lots of control. Your level of control in 3rd grade is massively bigger than in 8th grade. The issues you are facing are smaller than the issues your child will face in the future. This is the time for you and your spouse to get on the same page about what matters the most and unite around those issues.
The first step to parenting from a united front is to expose the cracks and talk about those differences with each other! The more you ignore the differences you have as parents today only fuels the problems of tomorrow. There will never be unity when there is hidden animosity lurking around the corner. It’s normal to have these differences, but in order to have a united parenting strategy, these differences have to be exposed. Get a babysitter, head to a great restaurant, and start unpacking the issues.
Once we know where tension can arise there are some rules we can all embrace to keep our parenting effort united…
1. Support Publicly / Question in Private
This is really simple. When your spouse makes a parenting choice just be supportive even if you have questions about what happened. Leaning on the child’s perspective will only give you a partial picture. Get the full story in private and don’t undermine you spouse.
2. Never Complain about Your Spouse to Your Kids
This should be a no brainer but sadly we have all fallen into this trap when tired. Don’t complain about your spouse to your kids. Your kids don’t need to hear that and you are probably just tired. Kids internalize that kind of conflict and worry about it.
3. Share Discipline
There should be no good cop / bad cop in your house. Step up and share the discipline in the home. Don’t allow one parent to become the one that always handles problems.
4. Develop Yearly Game Plans Together
You children change year to year and it’s important to adjust the parenting strategy as they grow. Set aside time to process the plan together each year. Again, just another reason to go on a date and plan some!
Parenting is an adventure! Get on the same page and go make a difference in the life of your child.
Texts/Tweets
TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use it consistently. That will tell Twitter to store a list of your tweets on one place for later reference.
Tweet One: The first step to parenting from a united front is to expose the cracks and talk about those differences with each other! #parenting #unitedparenting #familymin #momlife #dadlife #summertime
Tweet Two: Ignoring the differences you have as parents today only fuels the problems of tomorrow. #unitedsummer #parenting #familylife #parent #mom #dad #parentlife #mommy
Tweet Three: Support your spouse publicly and question them privately when it comes to parenting. #supportmom #supportdad #teamparenting #dadandmom #familylife #parents #parenting
Tweet Four: Never complain about your spouse to your kids. They need to see you united and supporting each other. #supportyourspouse #oneteam #teammom #teamdad #godlyparenting #unitedparenting
Tweet Five: There is no good cop or bad cop in parenting; there is just a good mom and good dad loving their kids. #nogoodcop #nobadcop #parenting #copout #family #loveandlaw #momlife #dadlife
Tweet Six: Your children change year to year, and it’s important to adjust the parenting strategy and rules as they grow. #parentplan #parentstrategy #mom #dad #family #parents #parenting