Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Interparental Processes When Coparenting Two Children

Abstract

BackgroundLittle is known about coparenting processes for two parents with two children, as observational studies of coparenting in families of four are virtually nonexistent.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to use observational methods to examine coparenting process in 52 families of four (mother–father–older child–younger child; N = 208 subjects).MethodMothers' and fathers' support of their partner and involvement with both children were examined in relation to the mothers' and fathers' cooperative coparenting. Observations were of 25‐minute home interactions that were rated using a newly developed coding system based on previous research with families of three.ResultsResults largely replicated findings from studies of coparenting in families of three (i.e., two parents and one child) in that higher levels of cooperative coparenting were related to both parents' higher involvement in coparenting and mutual support of their partner. However, significant interaction effects in families with two children revealed cooperative coparenting as more nuanced than in families with one child. Interactions indicated that cooperative coparenting was highest when both parents' involvement was high. Cooperative coparenting was lowest when both parents showed low support for one another, as well as when mothers showed low support of fathers and fathers showed low involvement.ConclusionsResults of this study reveal several commonalities in the coparenting of one child versus two children, as well as several notable differences. Results suggest that cooperative coparenting of two children may often require “all hands on deck” to provide adequate attention and resources for two young lives. Our findings also suggest that cooperative coparenting can still occur when one parent shows low behavioral support of the other or when a father's involvement is low, as long as the partner is highly supportive.ImplicationsImplications for family intervention and future directions for research in this area are discussed.