Unmasking the Disney Parent: Tips for Real, Heartfelt Parenting

Discover how to handle the 'Disney Parent' phenomenon with love and care. Tips for consistency, communication, and more in this week's newsletter.

Author

Michelle Lim
July 29, 2024

Hello MindFull Readers,

Have you ever heard of the term "Disney Parent"? I thought I was the only one who used it until I stumbled upon a post by Anthony Bompiani mentioning something similar.

What is a Disney Parent?

Disney Parents try to buy their children’s affection with materialistic items and fun activities while neglecting the responsibilities of true parenting. This often happens when one parent is competing with the other for the child's affection.

Though this phenomenon is more common among divorced parents, it can also occur in families where both parents are still together. The harsh reality is that having a Disney Parent involved with your children is a manipulative way of winning their affection. While the consequences may be ignored or overlooked initially, this behaviour has long-term detrimental effects on the children.

I've been experiencing the Disney Parent phenomenon for many years and am still, to a large extent, battling it. It’s especially tough since the Disney Parent is often an ex-spouse, making it challenging to navigate when raising our three children.

Whether you and the Disney Parent are still living in the same household or are divorced, here are some ways to navigate this with love and care:

  1. Stay Consistent: Shower your child with love and care (in a non-materialistic sense). These should always be at the top of your parenting priority list.

  2. Avoid Badmouthing the Disney Parent: Pointing out that they are a ‘bad parent’ won’t help your case and may be too much for your child to handle emotionally. Badmouthing the Disney Parent could backfire and create a rift between you and your child.

  3. Communicate: Children innately know how to differentiate the good from the bad. It's a gut feeling most of us are born with, and as parents, we have a responsibility to nurture this instinct. Always let your child know they can approach you anytime if they need to talk, and show genuine interest in their feelings.

There’s one more crucial point I'd like to add, but it deserves a newsletter of its own. It will address how to discuss bad behavior or habits with your children in a safe space without fuelling bitterness.

Stay tuned for the next edition coming Monday. If you know anyone who could benefit from my newsletters, please share my subscription link with them so they too can receive weekly insights on how to navigate their parenting and reparenting journey.

💖Sending everyone lots of love, laughter and light.💖

If you'd like to set up a free, 30-minute, no obligation, Healing & Growth Call with me to explore whether I am the right Reparenting Life Coach for you please book a slot at this link https://calendly.com/michelle-lim-tmp/healing-and-growth-call

With warmth and mindfulness,

Michelle Lim | Founder of The MindFull Parent | Reparenting Life Coach

Michelle Lim | Mother of 3 | Multi-Coach | Founder | Author | Preschool Educator | Babywearing Specialist | Breastfeeding Mentor

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