York County Medicine Summer 2020 - 22

YO R K C O M E D S O C . O R G

FEATURE:

Strengthening Families Protective Factors:
Strengthening
Families Protective
Factors:
A
Guide to Successful
Co-Parenting

A Guidea to
Successful Co-Parenting
during
Shelter-in-Place
Mandate
during a Shelter-in-Place Mandate
Now more than ever, the pressure is on. Children are home from school. Caregivers are balancing
the existing demands of day-to-day life against working from home and caring for children-which
Now more than ever, the pressure is on. Children are home from school. Caregivers are balancing
often includes conducting virtual learning for youngsters of various ages. Families are managing
the existing demands of day-to-day life against working from home and caring for children-which
increasingly problematic finances...and in the midst of all that, individuals are trying to practice
often includes conducting virtual learning for youngsters of various ages. Families are managing
self-care and social connection with others.
increasingly problematic finances...and in the midst of all that, individuals are trying to practice
In
familiesand
thatsocial
are blended,
separated,
or co-parenting, the current shelter-in-place climate can
self-care
connection
with others.
create new and challenging situations and decisions for families and caregivers. For some families,
In families that are blended, separated, or co-parenting, the current shelter-in-place climate can
this might mean children are residing with one parent longer than usual. That means balancing
create new and challenging situations and decisions for families and caregivers. For some families,
logistical and emotional factors in decision-making regarding shared time with children-and
this might mean children are residing with one parent longer than usual. That means balancing
calling for difficult decisions in many cases.
logistical and emotional factors in decision-making regarding shared time with children-and
We
want
to know
it is possible
to cases.
move beyond relationship mistakes and resentments, as well
calling
foryou
difficult
decisions
in many
as the devastation that comes along with a change of heart, especially when there are children
We want you to know it is possible to move beyond relationship mistakes and resentments, as well
involved or potentially impacted by parental decision-making.
as the devastation that comes along with a change of heart, especially when there are children
Understandably,
there will
be testing
moments.
Everyone is experiencing new anxieties, social
involved or potentially
impacted
by parental
decision-making.
isolation, and worries about income or job security. Though it may feel like it, you are not alone.
Understandably, there will be testing moments. Everyone is experiencing new anxieties, social
There are millions of families nationwide and beyond who are facing similar circumstances.
isolation, and worries about income or job security. Though it may feel like it, you are not alone.
We
have
a few
tips to
help withand
decision-making
andfacing
guidance
for circumstances.
discussions between
There
arecomplied
millions of
families
nationwide
beyond who are
similar
co-parents and caregivers during this unique and trying time. Further, we encourage you to reach
We have complied a few tips to help with decision-making and guidance for discussions between
out to your available supports, as well as other parents, for support in times of need.
co-parents and caregivers during this unique and trying time. Further, we encourage you to reach
out to your available supports, as well as other parents, for support in times of need.

Parental Resilience
u Keep focus on the strengths and areas of resilience that both parents bring to the table for your
Parental Resilience
partnership.
What qualities do each of you possess that can be helpful during this time? Remaining
Keep
focus
the strengths
and areas
resilience
thatand
both
parents
bring
to for
theproblem-solving.
table for your
u
focused on theon
solution
takes power
away of
from
negativity
leaves
more
room
partnership. What qualities do each of you possess that can be helpful during this time? Remaining
Talk with
yoursolution
co-parenting
partneraway
about
thenegativity
admiration
you
both more
have for
your
and identify
u
focused
on the
takes power
from
and
leaves
room
forchild
problem-solving.
your child's strengths. Sometimes, especially now, we all need a reminder of the greater good. Things
with your
co-parenting
partnerbut
about
admiration
haveyou
for your
child
and
identify
u Talk
did
not work
out in
your relationship,
try tothe
keep
your eyeyou
on both
the prize:
get to
share
the
your
child's
strengths.
Sometimes,
especially
now,
we
all
need
a
reminder
of
the
greater
good.
Things
experience of raising a wonderful child, one who needs and relies on both parents. Does your child
did not
work out
your
relationship,
but
to keep
your eye onthe
thetwo
prize:
you aspire
get to share
the We
have
qualities
thatinthe
two
of you share
ortry
maybe
characteristics
of you
to develop?
experience
of
raising
a
wonderful
child,
one
who
needs
and
relies
on
both
parents.
Does
your
child
learn from our children, so remain curious together and stay open-minded.
have qualities that the two of you share or maybe characteristics the two of you aspire to develop? We
learn from our children, so remain curious together and stay open-minded.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance | 800-448-4906 | pa-fsa.org
22

York County Medicine | SUMMER 2020

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance | 800-448-4906 | pa-fsa.org

http://www.YORKCOMEDSOC.ORG http://www.pa-fsa.org

York County Medicine Summer 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of York County Medicine Summer 2020