Parenting is a team effort, but what if you feel like you’re stuck on the bench, watching from the sidelines? Many parents feel this way—eager to contribute yet unsure how to make their voice heard. You may want to go with the flow because your partner seems to know more or has done extensive research, but deep down, you still long to have a say in how you raise your children.
This dynamic can leave one partner feeling invisible and unimportant. You might suggest ideas about discipline, routines, or activities, only to feel shut down or dismissed. Over time, these small moments can erode your confidence and create a sense of detachment in your parenting role.
In therapy, we can explore the dreams, values, and fears underlying your parenting disagreements. What do you want your child to learn? What kind of family culture do you want to create? These conversations aren’t about debating who’s “right” but about uncovering the deeper hopes and beliefs that drive your parenting choices.
Through this process, couples often discover they’re more aligned than they realised. For example:
You might both want to foster independence in your child but have different ideas about how to do it.
One of you might prioritise emotional resilience, while the other focuses on academic success—but both stem from a shared desire for your child’s future happiness.
Once these values are on the table, we work toward compromise. Instead of feeling sidelined, you’ll feel empowered to co-create a parenting approach that honors both of your perspectives.
If you’re feeling unheard or undervalued in your parenting partnership, Brisbane Couples Counselling can help. Using proven Gottman techniques, we’ll guide you to communicate more effectively and build a parenting plan that works for both of you.
Ready to take your place on the parenting team? Call Brisbane Couples Counselling at 3876 2100 or email info@brisbanecouplescounselling.com to book your session today. Let’s create a parenting partnership that makes you both feel supported and connected.
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