“There’s so much history”: shared parenting dynamics in kinship families

Abstract

ABSTRACT Shared parenting, when adults collaborate in childrearing, is a practice of interest for children in out-of-home care. Yet, little is known about its feasibility and outcomes for kinship families who have preexisting relationships with birth parents. This article shares qualitative results from focus groups that explored participants’ experiences and attitudes toward shared parenting. The sample comprised 25 kinship caregivers and 34 child welfare professionals. Findings revealed that shared parenting within kinship families is often less feasible than desired. This article identifies barriers and facilitators of shared parenting, offers a shared parenting typology, and explores implications for policy and practice.