People have different styles of parenting their children. When parents are married or living together as a family, they may choose to adopt a particular parenting style. Sometimes parents do not agree on the way they want to parent their children. This difference can be particularly challenging when parents are divorced or living apart. Free-range parenting is a term that has been recently popularized.
Free-Range Parenting
Free-range parenting is a name that describes a type of parenting style. Parents who use free-range parenting allow their children more freedom than is offered in other parenting styles. The free-range parent generally believes that a child should be allowed to experience the world with little interference. Parents encourage children to function as independent people with limited parental involvement from a young age. Unlike permissive parenting, these parents provide their kids with training and education in the skills they will need to succeed in life and oversee their experiences.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What children’s expenses are covered by child support?”
What Happens When Parents Have Differing Parenting Styles?
When parents are together, their parenting styles may meld together and provide a united front for the children. Sometimes, when parents split up, their differing parenting styles become more profound. In some cases, different styles of parenting can cause disagreements between parents, especially when they are divorced. Children pick up on the differences very quickly, and that could create a situation where children pit their parents against each other. This can occur without children realizing what they are doing. Resentment and discord can result.
What to Do About Parenting After Divorce
Parenting can be especially challenging following divorce. Parents will want to take preventative steps to manage matters regarding their children. It is helpful to discuss parenting issues and agree to the basic plan as part of your divorce proceedings. A comprehensive parenting plan will include details such as where the child will reside and how and when visitation will take place. A schedule is extremely beneficial for parents and children as it establishes a new way of life. The plan should establish a method of communication between parents and provide for how to handle differences when they occur.
Parent Communication
Communication between parents following a divorce is essential. When parents are in regular communication, they will be better able to handle differences that they may have when it comes to decisions about their children. Parents need to be able to continue to work together to provide a stable environment for their kids on an ongoing basis. Compromise is important because parents should be prepared to offer similar parenting styles for the benefit of the kids. A parenting plan should also include how to handle disputes in a way that will be helpful.
Regardless of your parenting style differences, it is more important than ever to provide your kids with a loving home following a divorce. An experienced divorce attorney will assist you throughout the process and help you put a parenting plan in place that makes sense for your family. Contact us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to discuss your divorce needs.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes four Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre-and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; and adoption. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options and then work to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
What Is Free-Range Parenting? – How Free-Range Parenting Works (goodhousekeeping.com)
parenting plan | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)
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