Parenting is Not Babysitting

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Parenting is Not Babysitting

Parenting is Not Babysitting

Check out my recent relationship and parenting advice video. This week, it is about parenting and mainly advice for husbands and fathers who may not routinely care for their children. There is great power in words, and how we term things influences our attitudes and behavior even related to childcare. See if changing this term influences your behavior and attitude for the better: (Transcript of Video) Dr. D’Arienzo here. Board-certified psychologist and relationship expert. I have another nugget of wonderful advice to improve the relationship with both your children and the other parent of your children. Let me set the stage and you apply this as it fits your co-parenting relationship whether married or divorced, but I will speak as if the two of you are married. If your spouse, whom you share children with, goes out with friends or goes out for the weekend, and you remain home taking care of the children, YOUR CHILDREN, that is NOT considered babysitting. That is is considered PARENTING. I have to admit I have used the latter term before and have suffered the consequences, gravely, as I’m not only a psychologist but  I am also an actual parent of 4, and a man. Unfortunately, men, husbands are often found to be more guilty of mistakenly and unintentionally using this term when temporarily caring alone for their own children. So remember, the next time your spouse is away from the home, and you are left with child care responsibilities, that is called parenting and not babysitting. There is great power in words. See how this change in term influences your attitude and behavior for the better. Let me know how it works!

D’Arienzo Psychology is a Jacksonville, Florida based psychology practice offering a full range of psychology services to include parent coaching, parent advice, child and adolescent psychology, and school and educational psychology. See our newest practice additions who are accepting new patients and clients, Nicole Hoelz, School Psychologist and Dr. Erica Janson, Clinical Psychologist.