Competitive Parent - Children in the Middle

[rapidlygrowingbrood]

This is more of a vent but honestly, why is it that no matter how the break-up occurred one parent always seems to be overtly competitve... and its not always the Dad. There's always one "Disneyland Parent".

Seriously do they not understand the predicament they put their children in. No child should have to choose between their parents. Are they just jealous of the other parents relationship with the child/children? Trying to push their own insecurities about their ability to parent by clouding the children's awareness with activities, parties and presents?

I thought the purpose of parents was to raise healthy well adjusted children to become healthy well adjusted adult to contribute positively to the world, not how much entertaining can I do to exhaust these children before they go back to school, dad's, mum's etc...

Argh! It's tiring having to pick up the pieces when they fall apart due to exhaustion, frustration, and anxiety.

Sorry I just had to get it out. :(

[delirium]

Sadly some parents transfer their bitterness into outdoing and badmouthing the other parent. Ultimately it's the child that pays, and the nasty parent will pay in long run. As children get older they recognise their parent bagging or showing up the other and it can create a wedge between them and the child.

So my point is that in the long run the child will work out what's going on.