Summary of Hope Edelman's "The Myth of Co-parenting, how it was supposed to be. How it was."
“The Myth Of Co-Parenting: How It Was Supposed To Be. How It Was” by professional writer Hope Edelman, a non-fiction author, essayist, and writing instructor, tells her personal account of being a co-parent. Her main focus is on the hardships of not being in a co-parent situation, and the effort it takes to create a balanced relationship.
She begins by giving a firsthand account of failed co-parenting situation through observation of her parents. Edelman tells how her mother became a housewife and how her father was never around. When her mother died, she realized she did not even know her father. Without any real parenting experience, he was unaware of how to take care of his children properly, so she had to take over the role of mothering them. She vowed to never be like her parents and to have a healthy co-parent relationship with her spouse.
After Edelman and her husband had their little girl, she began to notice how infrequently her husband was home. Her husband increased his hours at work, while she cut back hers to be home with their daughter. Edelman expresses her anger toward her husband to the reader when he became the primary source of income and she became the main parent.
In order to achieve a balanced co-parent household, there cannot be ultimatums. According to Edelman, both parents should sit down and engage in calm discussion when resolving disagreements. While it may be difficult and take some time, Edelman shows that it is possible to successfully raise a child in a co-parent household.
Edleman, Hope. "The Myth of Co-Parenting: How It Was Supposed to Be. How It Was."
Writing & Reading for ACP Composition. 2nd ed. 2013. 50-57. Print.
She begins by giving a firsthand account of failed co-parenting situation through observation of her parents. Edelman tells how her mother became a housewife and how her father was never around. When her mother died, she realized she did not even know her father. Without any real parenting experience, he was unaware of how to take care of his children properly, so she had to take over the role of mothering them. She vowed to never be like her parents and to have a healthy co-parent relationship with her spouse.
After Edelman and her husband had their little girl, she began to notice how infrequently her husband was home. Her husband increased his hours at work, while she cut back hers to be home with their daughter. Edelman expresses her anger toward her husband to the reader when he became the primary source of income and she became the main parent.
In order to achieve a balanced co-parent household, there cannot be ultimatums. According to Edelman, both parents should sit down and engage in calm discussion when resolving disagreements. While it may be difficult and take some time, Edelman shows that it is possible to successfully raise a child in a co-parent household.
Edleman, Hope. "The Myth of Co-Parenting: How It Was Supposed to Be. How It Was."
Writing & Reading for ACP Composition. 2nd ed. 2013. 50-57. Print.