Child's hand holding little finger of adult's hand

Why Co-Parenting Can Hurt More Than We Expect

Co-Parent Calm
February 10, 2026•2 min read

Parenting with another adult is often more emotionally complicated than we expect.

Not because anyone is failing.
Not because there’s always conflict.
But because parenting doesn’t just involve the present moment — it can quietly awaken old feelings shaped by our own childhood experiences.

When children are involved, the emotional stakes feel high.
When responsibility is shared, questions of power, voice, and safety can surface.
And sometimes our reactions feel bigger than the situation itself.

In this episode, Emma explores why co-parenting can feel confusing, painful, or emotionally charged — even when no one is doing anything “wrong”.

This isn’t about simplifying complex dynamics into quick answers or tidy explanations.

It’s about recognising the layers involved with compassion for yourself, your child, and (where possible) the other adults involved.

Managing emotions well isn’t about forcing your experience into something neat and logical.
It’s about noticing what’s present, allowing it to make sense, and choosing the best action you can in this moment — and then again in the next one.

If co-parenting feels harder than you expected, there’s probably a reason — and you’re not alone.

Inside the Calm Enough Mum Support Circle, this kind of awareness is gently turned into practical, child-centred support — without rushing or dismissing what’s real.

Next step support:
Inside the Calm Enough Mum Support Circle, these insights are turned into practical language, reflection tools, and steady parenting support you can use in real moments.


Join here: https://go.dyfparents.com/calm-enough-mum

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Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

Emma Reed

Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

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