Insight Into Parenting

September 30, 2009

Interview with Marsha Kline Pruett author of Partnership Parenting: How Men and Women Parent Differently--Why It Helps Your Kids and Can Strengthen Your Marriage

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Mike Carruthers:
A common source of conflict for couples is parenting. Because men and women tend to discipline very differently.

Marsha Kline Pruett:
For instance men tend to focus on real world consequences, “Hey don’t do that other kids won’t like that.”

Marsha Kline Pruett

Marsha Kline Pruett, author of Partnership Parenting...

They very clearly remind children what the world expects. Women tend to discipline using personal and relational examples, “Hey when you did that you really disappointed me... I was so embarrassed when you threw that tantrum in there.” And for a child to get both of those messages - it’s really helpful.

But as good as it is for children to be the recipient of those two parenting styles, it often causes conflict between mom and dad. Martha’s advice is to discuss those differences.

Some research shows the more they talk about those the better they do, the happier they report they are and the better they report they function together.

And it’s important to realize that it’s the discussion itself that helps you don’t necessarily have to agree.

You know there’s some great couples research that shows that marital happiness is less related to whether a couple actually solves its problems and does things differently than if they felt heard and understood during the discussion of it. 

To hear the complete unedited interview click here.