Question

Differing Parenting Styles

Lisette and Joel are a couple in their 20s. They have a 2-week-old baby boy and have come in for a well-baby check of their healthy infant. Joel is carrying the infant with Lisette trailing behind. When the nurse inquires how things are going at home, Lisette becomes tearful and Joel looks away. As the nurse questions them further, it becomes evident that the couple differ in their perception of how the baby should be cared for. Lisette was raised in various foster homes after being taken from her abusive mother at age 3 and has no relatives who are involved in her life at the present time. Joel comes from a large, affectionate family who are thrilled with the new baby and visit frequently and while there take over care of the baby. Lisette has been feeling overwhelmed by the care of the infant and often just lets him cry in his crib. Joel and his family always pick up the baby immediately when he cries.

What can the nurse do to help this couple
What specific interventions may be helpful?
How can Joel’s family help?
What other resources are important for this family?

Answer 1

1)

Nurse can inquire about the quality and strength of the relation between the husband and the wife. Nurse could help the couple by sharing some effective parenting tips with them and ask them to follow such tips for the well being of their child. Nurse should try to bridge the gap between the husband and the wife regarding the differing parenting styles.

2)

Some specific interventions that may be helpful for the couple are :-

• Encouraging better coordination between the two partners regarding the child care.
• Both the partners should be given effective parenting tips and should be asked to follow those tips for effective child care.
• Removing the misunderstanding among the both partners.
• Tips about conflict resolution, problem solving styles and emotion regulation should be given to the couple.

3)

Joel's family could play a significant role in addressing the differing parenting styles of the couple. They could assist the couple in effective child care. They could also help the couple to adjust with the different emotional challenges faced by the couple during the child care. They could help the couple in building the better coordination.

4)

The other resources that are important for this family are :-

• Family educators
• Social workers
• Clinical psychologists
• Parenting counselors

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