The Wounds of Co-Parenting Criticism — and healing balm of Respect, Restraint, and Repair.
When love between adults changes form, the task of co-parenting can test even the most well-intentioned. In moments of frustration or exhaustion, it can feel tempting to voice anger or disappointment about the other parent—especially when pain still lingers from a recent exchange, whether it’s this week or this morning. Yet when criticism of a co-parent happens in front of a child, it leaves marks deeper than either adult intends or even sees for some time.
The Sting of Criticism — and the Cure for Connection Loss.
Why words that judge can wound deeply, but couples can rebuild trust through empathy and repair. Criticism is different from expressing a complaint because, by definition, it attacks a partner’s character or personality rather than focusing on a specific behavior or issue. When criticism becomes prevalent in communication, partners stop feeling heard and start feeling attacked.
The Poison of Contempt—and the Antidote to a Relationship Crisis
Contempt arises when couples are facing too many stressors with too few resources. It is a response that is often borne out of chronic overwhelm and frustration. Unfortunately, many couples who love each other immensely find themselves feeling contemptuous toward their beloved or, perhaps worse, finding themselves on the receiving end of contemptuous communication.