Raising a child is a very personal process which typically causes conflict among parents. Mom and dad may have different ideas about how to deal with the “acting out” behaviors of their children. Often, my work with parents involves helping them learn how to present a “unified front” to their child or children. In other words, they can disagree all they want behind closed doors, but in front of their child or children they must present as “one”.

The unified front is a crucial aspect of effective parenting, especially when parenting an at-risk teen. If the teen is able to split the parents, then he or she gains power over the dynamic. The net result is the loss of control of the parents. Sending “one” message coming from both parents creates a very strong energy that diminishes the teens ability to manipulate parents.

Parents don’t have all the answers and no one has to be “right” or “wrong”. More importantly is whatever the decision, that it is equally supported and enforced by mom and dad together. Managing at-risk behavior is a process that is always more effective with cooperation and consistency from both parents.