Divide and conquer to survive in the parenting trenches

By Tyler Maher

Jul 20, 2021

As a cohort, sports journalists can easily fall into the trap of flippantly comparing the perils of war with the sporting action unfolding before them.

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Many times a week I use the term ‘battle’ to describe a match, while rivalry rounds and finals clashes tend to bring out plenty of phrases like ‘going to war’ and ‘fighting tooth and nail'.

In reality, we all know that sport and war are not in the same hemisphere when it comes to their trials and tribulations.

But every day across the globe in the parenting trenches, wartime strategies are implemented almost hourly to keep the peace.

In the lead-up to the birth of our second child Bonnie, Grace and I knew that our parenting experience would change - of course doubling the infants in our care was always going to shake things up.

But I did not realise just how much we would have to embrace the ‘Divide and Conquer’ mantra.

From almost the moment Bonnie was born, the shift could be felt.

With just Eden around, ‘Picking your battles’ and ‘Not negotiating with toddler(ists)’ were our two strongest strategic advantages over the small child in our house.

But with one child per parent in the mix, it really did feel for a few weeks there like we were both individually in charge of them respectively.

Newborn Bonnie needed Grace much more than she needed me, while toddler Eden and I were spending all of our time together while we adjusted to our new lifestyle - there was just no other way to win the war.

Obviously after the initial period of time as a family of four, the routines become natural and the feeling that we have to divide and conquer to survive subsides.

But I certainly have a newfound respect for any parents with more than two children.

How do they have enough hands for the job?

Tyler Maher is Sports Editor at McPherson Media Group.