Parenting In Shifts - Does It Work?

By Author: Simone Butler
Total Articles: 434
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Everyone has different parenting styles. What works for one couple doesn't necessarily work for the next. Taking responsibility for the duties of caring for a newborn infant should be one in which both parents do their fair share. The way in which those duties are handled is unique to the particular family.

One young couple that I know has decided to handle their parenting tasks by taking shifts. Although it is certainly up to them to find solutions that work best for their family, parenting in shifts just isn't practical. For example, she takes the day shift whiles he takes the night. But the problem is that life is just not that predictable. Perhaps it would be better if it were but it's not.

I am by no means a parenting expert but I am a parent of four children and I found it easiest to be versatile when it came to parenting. Tasks were not delegated to my husband or myself nor were shifts. We had to be adaptable to varying circumstances and situations in our lives. If my husband was working at the time, I handled the brunt of the parental responsibilities. If I was working he took on a larger share of parenting ...
... and household duties.

When we were both working we tried to be fair about home and child-related tasks. For example, if the baby woke up for a three in the morning feeding I never said, "It's your night," or "It's your shift." If I heard the baby I simply got up with him. I didn't wake my husband up or wait for him to get up and offer to feed the baby. There were also plenty of times when he left me sleep while he got up and cared for our children.

Circumstances change. One parent may lose a job or get laid off while the other goes to work. One parent may suffer an illness or injury. You have to be adaptable. If one spouse depends largely on the other they may easily become overwhelmed if circumstances cause a major shift in responsibility. Life changes and sometimes those changes happen very suddenly. Parenting is as uncertain as any other aspect of life. We can only do our best and learn along the way.

Instead of trying to set rigid methods and delegate specific tasks or timetables for you or your significant other be willing to roll with the punches. Be flexible and willing to do more than your share when necessary. Parenting is a full-time responsibility. Parents will find that working together will make things easier for everyone in the family. Compromise and flexibility are the keys to happy parenting.

About the author: Simone writes for http://www.becomingaparent.co.uk/ a parenting guide for people having their first child.