David Deluise: "Cooperator" Parenting Style
Submitted by Paul
I have a little bit of all the parenting types in my life, but, personally, I'm a Cooperator. I tend to be a people pleaser and I want everyone to be happy and like me.
I've noticed that my daughter Dylan is a Cooperator, too. She wants to please people and she wants people to be happy all the time. I don't know what's going to happen when she's older. My 15-year-old, on the other hand, is probably a Stabilizer. She has a schedule and an agenda. Plus, she's in all AP classes, getting straight A's.
My dad is a Fixer. If you tell him about anything that's going on in your life or if you relate any story to him, he'll try to fix it with a passion. I honestly don't know how he does it! Because every time I try to be a Fixer, I end up frustrated. Like if one of my kids has soccer and the other has dance and I have work all at the same time, I try to run around like a crazy person so nobody has to sacrifice anything. Well, as you know, it's next to impossible to be three places at once, so I cater to my kids and then I start to build a little resentment because: 1) kids will be kids and in their own world, and 2) I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick.
To me, the idea of me cooperating as a parent means including the kids in the decision-making process. Kids need to learn real life tools to help them deal with complicated matters or else they'll never be able do to things for themselves. Cooperating with them helps get that done.
In addition to being a parent, David Deluise plays Jerry Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place.
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