Unhealthy Coalitions
In families, coalitions can be helpful or destructive depending on who’s involved. A healthy coalition between Mom and Dad creates a strong parenting system that supports the children as they grow. But an unhealthy coalition between a parent and child against the other parent sabotages the authority of both parents and teaches children to manipulate. When this happens in stepfamilies it nearly always creates conflict and sabotages the marriage.
About the Host
Ron Deal
Ron Deal is Director of FamilyLife Blended®️ for FamilyLife®️ and President of Smart Stepfamilies™️. He is a family ministry consultant and conducts marriage and family seminars around the country; he specializes in marriage education and stepfamily enrichment. He is one of the most widely read authors on stepfamily living in the country.
Episode Transcript
Ron: Are there any unhealthy coalitions in your home?
Announcer: For FamilyLife Blended®, here’s Ron Deal.
Ron: You know, in business a partnership or a coalition helps both companies accomplish their goals. In families, coalitions can be helpful or destructive depending on who’s involved. A healthy coalition between Mom and Dad creates a strong parenting system that supports the children as they grow. But an unhealthy coalition between a parent and child against the other parent sabotages the authority of both parents and teaches children to manipulate.
When this happens in stepfamilies it nearly always creates conflict and sabotages the marriage. Hey, it’s okay to be close with your child, but when you team up against someone else—everyone loses. For FamilyLife Blended, I’m Ron Deal.
Announcer: To find out more visit familylifeblended.com.
FamilyLife Blended with Ron Deal is a production of FamilyLife.
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