Learn about Community Parenting

The broad definition of the term community parenting states that, It is a situation where there are additional caregivers of the child apart from the biological or adoptive parents. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, family friends etc can be the caregivers.

Today one may find the existence of non-traditional families is gearing up. Non traditional families are those where there is either a single parent taking care of the child, adopted children, blended families etc. Parenting is considered to be a full time responsibility and in most of the cases it is difficult for many of us to manage it on our own. This is the main reason why community parenting has come into existence. It is an arrangement that requires two or more caregivers to take the responsibility of the child. This makes it easier to provide an extra support to the child in the growing phase and also helps in establishing strong bonds among the adults.

Another form of community parenting is where parents and children spend ample time together as a group and each parent is responsible for in taking care of the child/ children. In such cases the mutual trust among the parents plays a key role in strengthening the community bond between the child and the parents.

Sometimes this community parenting can turn to be disadvantageous. The parents should not vest the entire responsibility of the child on the caregivers. Parents need to take an active part in the upbringing of the child and never rely completely on others. This is because the caregivers also have their own family and duties to take care of.

Community parenting also has a controversial side and does not bestow a status to the caregivers who are non-parents. Despite taking entire responsibility of the child and its upbringing and serving all the purposes, they fail to get legal status concerning the child. In instances where there is a mishap that takes place with the legal caregiver of the child, the person who has been helping in carrying out the responsibilities of the child may get the custody of the child only after a long term legal battle.