Parenting After Divorce: Does 'Disneyland Parenting' Help The Children?

It's a given fact that the greatest effects of divorce between a couple are seen on the children and the ways they are brought up. Due to custody arrangements, the children often find themselves in two very different environments.

A very usual change the children face is in the structure of their parent's household as one parent could often be more structured and organized one. The other parent, however, could be more laid back with very few stringent rules in place. Under such circumstances, the kid is subject to expectations and chores more strictly in one house than the other.

Even though it apparently seems that children absolutely hate working and doing chores, it is an undeniable fact the children thrive on a structure in their life, albeit secretly. They need a proper routine to have their life in order. However, this structure is thrown out of order right when the kids have to change homes so often, which normally comes in families with divorced or separated parents. This frustrates the more balanced parent too for ruining his or her efforts of teaching the kids manners.

This brings forward the concept of "Disneyland Dad" (or mom). This tag is associated with those parents who want to make their time with their kid nothing but "fun." Such parents will pamper their children for the duration of their stay, will not force them to do chores nor acts strictly with them. But is it really doing any good to the children, Good Men Project questions?

The "Disneyland Parenting" concept, however, strikes an unhealthy imbalance. The children are always riding on the euphoria of the "better" parent just because one is always allowing them to have fun, silently eluding from all the responsibilities. Now, the one who actually teaches the children everything seems like the mean, angry one or better known as the "bad cop."

The need here is not to stop pampering one's kids or letting them have fun. The requirement is to balance the fun and teaching to be more successful parents.

Are you a "Disneyland" parent? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.