I recently saw a social worker to address some personal issues. From those sessions, I came away with the phrase “the Walt Disney parent.” Do you have any idea what that means? No? Well, that’s a sign that you’re probably the Walt Disney parent in your couple.
Let me explain her theory… Basically, according to her, in a couple raising children, there’s the more restrictive, responsible parent who’s focused on rules and routines. And then there’s the other one—the Walt Disney parent—who’s permissive and puts fun above everything else. And according to her theory, the two complement each other and are beneficial for the child, as long as there’s a solid foundation of parenting.
It drives me crazy. At Dad’s, we go to bed whenever we want—no naps. And at Dad’s, we don’t put on sunscreen; we can even eat junk food 24/7. My daughter loves going to Dad’s, so I get it. But she comes back to me a total mess on Sundays. I have to rebuild her routine for the week, until the next sleepover at Dad’s… and the cycle repeats! You might say that good communication with Dad would solve everything. Well, no. That’s his approach to parenting, and no matter what I say or do, it’s his time with her. Because I’m just the “boring” mom. She tells me that all the time, and it drives me crazy. I’d love to be the Walt Disney mom, but that role is reserved for Dad—otherwise, you can imagine the chaos.
To you, the Walt Disney parent. I know you don’t mean any harm; I know your goal is to please your child. But just imagine that whatever the other parent is trying to build for your child’s health, well-being, and education, you’re destroying it in the blink of an eye. Can you take a step toward me, and I’ll take one toward you? I’ll loosen the reins if you tighten them a little. I think that together, anything is possible, but the gap between our two parenting styles shouldn’t be so wide.
And what about you—who’s the “Walt Disney” parent at home?