Many people are familiar with the term Disney adult. It refers to those who enjoy amusement parks and animated movies, even though they are no longer children. Fewer people are familiar with the concept of a Disney parent, but many people have to co-parent with them.
A Disney parent is a parent who has less parenting time and who is quite permissive. They may try to obtain the favor of their children by buying them gifts, taking them on trips and doing all of the fun things that come with parenting without the discipline, structure and investment required of most parents. People preparing to share custody can take certain steps to protect themselves from the frustration and stress that a Disney parent can often inspire.
Establish clear rules
Disney parents thrive on fun and struggle with structure. No matter how much children enjoy going to the movies and the mall, they also need time to work on their homework and consistent bedtimes. Integrating clear parenting expectations for the children that pinpoint the needs of each child or shift as the children grow older can be a way to create enforceable expectations for an overly permissive parent.
Make time for fun
One of the reasons it can be so difficult to share custody with a Disney parent is that they seem to get all the fun, while the other parent has all the responsibility. It is impossible to control what happens when the children are at the other house, but it is possible to increase opportunities to enjoy special activities with them.
The parent who has the children more frequently doesn’t necessarily have as much disposable income or free time for big trips and fancy gifts. However, they can make a point of integrating playful, fun time with their children into their day-to-day lives. Earmarking a half an hour for family board games after dinner, reading books together or finding ways to develop shared hobbies are always to have fun that don’t necessarily have to derail the household schedule or break the family budget.
Maintain a positive attitude
As hard as it can be, it is important for the responsible parent to avoid talking negatively about the Disney parent in front of the children. They may grow to believe that their parent resents them having fun. Complaining about how much fun the other parent gets to have with the children isn’t productive, especially if the children are the ones hearing those complaints. Finding a healthy outlet for those frustrations and trying to avoid communicating them to the children can help maintain a healthy and positive rapport with the children.
There are all kinds of frustrating parenting issues that arise when sharing custody. A thorough parenting plan and a focus on what matters most can help parents overcome even the most difficult and obnoxious co-parenting situations.