Parents can be bullies. It’s unfortunate that sometimes people can’t curb heir bad habits and bad tempers for the sake of their children. Often, parents who like sufficient skills and patience in parenting resort to aggression. This frustration spills over at spouses and children and presents itself as scary moments of aggression and even threats of violence.
When a family is going through a divorce or is separated, aggression needs to be addressed.
Aggression solves short term parenting issues and in the moment confrontations, but its long-term consequences can be incredibly damaging and long lasting. It leads to problems in children who learn themselves to use aggression to solve problems and lack coping skills for stress into the adult world. This is why it’s important to develop and utilize good coping skills for parenting confrontations.
Below are some signs that you or your ex-partner are engaging in aggressive parenting styles that could negatively impact your family. Knowing when its time to seek a family law specialist will make a difference in the outcome of your parenting conflict and will benefit your child.
Harsh Punishments
This doesn’t just mean punishments that seem inordinate or overly harsh. It’s not just excessive grounding or loss of privileges, a lot of time this presents as punishments designed to humiliate a child such as haircuts, forced clothing choices, or forms of public humiliation. It could also be internally humiliating for a child who is belittled by a parent or bullied as a form of punishment.
Keep communication open with your child about what is acceptable and not acceptable parenting behavior when they are with your ex.
Raised Voices
Yelling should never be used unless there is an emergency and your trying to get someone’s attention. Yelling at children or spouses as a way to convey something or communicate is the wrong approach and the sign that they are giving into aggressive, short term tactics to deal with problems. This can be a slippery slope and one you’ll want to avoid.
Lack of Self Control
An obvious sign of someone who gives into aggressive parenting is lack of self-control any time they have an intense emotion. This could even be when that emotion is not directed at anyone such as a bad day at work, car trouble, or other frustrations. Uncontrolled angry outbursts will spill into their parenting and how they deal with tensions that arise from the process of parenting and could escalate into more aggressive or even violent behavior.
Related Questions
What do I do if I think my spouse is trying to turn my child against me?
If you believe your spouse is attempting to groom your child or turn them again you, it’s important to seek out marriage/family counseling or a family law attorney to both have your worries voiced and have third party documentation of the situation. Don’t confront it on your own as the situation could escalate and you want to protect your child.
Who can I go to for help with my marital or family situation?
It’s important to seek out an impartial professional when to comes to the dynamics and mental health in families. This could be a therapist or social worker. If you require it, you may need to seek a family lawyer to help you in the event of a divorce or separation.
Being vigilant and proactive can help save the emotional and physical well-being of your children, especially if you are going through a divorce or separation. Talk to a professional today about the situation within your family and what steps you should take to protect your child.
Sometimes divorce is the only option. It can be the beginning of a new life but getting through the process can be challenging. The Family Law Offices of Rappleye & Rappleye P.C. can help. With over 60 years of experience in all areas of divorce and family law, we can guide you through the process. Rebuilding your future begins with knowing your rights. Call our Jackson Michigan Family Law Firm today for a Free Consultation.