How The Good Cop/Bad Cop Parenting Dynamic Ruins Marriages
The bad cop gets robbed of the fun moments
The good cop always swoops in and takes over the fun moments, before consulting the bad cop. He gives the kids dessert on the night they’re allowed to do it, without consulting the bad cop and asking if she’d like to hand out the brownies. The bad cop winds up feeling like she just gets the dirty work—like facilitating bath time—and the good cop gets to drop in when it’s time to do the easy stuff.