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  • Se'Lena Wingfield, Ph.D.

Navigating the Challenges of Co-Parenting: Strategies for Dealing w/ Bullying, Weight Gain, and More


Co-parenting can be challenging, especially when dealing with difficult issues such as childhood bullying, weight gain, and permissive parenting. Here are some things that parents can pay better attention to in these situations:

  1. Empathy for bullying: Parents should try to put themselves in their children's shoes to understand what they are going through. For example, if your child is being bullied, you should listen to your child's concerns and take appropriate action to address the situation.

  2. Support for weight gain: Parents should work as a team to support their child. If a child is struggling with weight gain, for example, both parents can work together to make healthy lifestyle changes (e.g., healthier food choices, more outdoor activities) and provide emotional support to their child.

  3. Dealing with a permissive parent: When dealing with permissive parenting, it's important to do what you can to ensure your child is safe. Make sure your child has a way to contact you when needed, rehearse what they should do when they don't feel safe, and check in on them if/when you can.

  4. Seeking help: Sometimes, co-parenting can be difficult and may require the help of a third party, such as a therapist or mediator. If parents are struggling to navigate a particular issue, seeking professional help can be beneficial for everyone involved.

Overall, effective co-parenting requires good communication, consistency, empathy, support, and a willingness to seek help when needed. By paying attention to these areas, parents can work together to create a positive and healthy environment for their children.

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