There is nothing more important to be said in parenting advice than working together in raising your children and establishing child discipline. It also needs to be said that it goes for all children of a relationship. Even if they belong to a previous relationship, the two people who make up their parents need to work together to form their children's discipline plan.
Children are experts in parent playing; they know how to get their way, if not from parent, they will go to the other parent. This often leads to misunderstanding between the parents and children use this situation to their own advantage.
It is very important for parents to work together for the welfare and stability of a home. Working together is a valuable parenting skill that parents must learn and practice. The first thing you as parents should do is to sit down and have a meeting, and work out a system that works for you.
If necessary, equally separate the subjects that a parent will decide on. For example, one parent handles outdoor activities while the other handles indoor activities. This will prevent the child or children from being able to play one parent against the other.
It's a good idea to establish a norm that children must take the approval of both parents in each situation. This works very well in most situations except at times when one parent is not available.
No matter which method you decide to use for making decisions, all parents need to agree on the rules and steps to follow. Once you've decided, then go to your children and explain the situation.
Letting your children know that you work together as a team is important. If they are old enough to understand the situation, it will work to deter future parent playing. If they are not old enough to understand, establishing this routine and foundation of parenting will prevent parent playing from occurring.
More than just parent playing is at stake when parents need to work together. Parenting decisions aren't just limited to going to the park or watching TV. They also include what type and kind of education? Which religion or faith a child should be brought up in? What type of child disciplinary measures should be taken? All of these questions and more need to be addressed. So that all parents are on the same page on what they want or think for their children's behavior and child discipline needs.