Parenting Together

Enjoy each other during this hectic time of year.

Week 1
Check with your spouse first. Agree that neither of you will accept an invitation to a party or dinner out with others without consulting with the other. One of you may be feeling overwhelmed, or tired, or just not up to it at that time. It is especially important to keep these lines of communication open, as things get busy.

Week 2
Talk about credit cards. Staying in touch with each other's thoughts about gift giving and spending will keep your budget intact when there are many demands on your time, money and energy. The Financial Counseling Clinic at Iowa State University

Week 3
Stay in the present. To bring in feelings or complaints you had in the past is, at best, meaningless, for they are history and can't be changed anyway. Everyone has his/her own perception/memory of past events. They are always "accurate."

Week 4
Start a new family tradition. Maybe this is the year to stay home during the holidays. Maybe it's time to ditch a routine that no one likes anyway. Talk with your partner about what fits your family situation.

Week 5
Show affection and respect to your partner in front of your children. They learn about relationships by watching you!