Firefighting and Parenting

(Video: Nothing to do with parenting, just wanted to share. )

So I think the hardest thing my husband and I have to deal with on a daily basis after he has been at the station is learing how to parent together.  I find it difficult at times to share the parenting role when he comes home.  I enjoy the two parent household so much better then the single, but getting in the routine of two parents home at the same time, parenting at the same time is a challenge.  

When it is just me and the kids, I get to make the call, I get to decide who gets what and what needs to be done before the TV can be turned on.  When daddy and mommy are home together, the lines are blurred.  I do find when we are fotunate enough to have both parents home for more then 24 hours at the sametime we get in a routine and things run smoothly, then before we know it daddy is back at the station.

I ran across the article below and liked its simplicity and felt better since we do attempt to do most of the things that were outlined!!  Yeah us!!  

Best Parenting Practices for Firefighters

By ourdesigns posted January 4th, 2011

For firefighters, being a parent involves more than giving a child his or her own firefighter sweatshirt or letting them wear your fireman badge. Being a firefighter presents unique parenting challenges that require a twist on traditional parenting practices.

Best Parenting Practices for Firefighters

Find healthy outlets for stress. Firefighters see horrendous things others cannot imagine. They undergo stresses on a daily basis that their families cannot understand, and yet they are expected to act “normal” at home. Firefighters often feel like they’re living a pressure cooker, with stress building up over time. Such chronic stress can cause emotional explosions or other negative behaviors if not dealt with appropriately. It is important for firefighters to find ways to manage and relieve stress on an ongoing basis, instead of subverting it. Examples of ways to relieve stress include participating in a support group, exercising regularly, meditating, talking to a counselor or mentor often, practicing a relaxing hobby, or writing in a journal. Children who see their parents deal with stress in a health manner are more likely to do the same.

Create a schedule. Children thrive on consistency and routine. Firefighters work odd hours, often for days on end, and it is important for firefighting parents to create a routine that involves spending time with the children in-between shifts. Because it can be hard to say that you will go to the park on the same day of every week, plan your routine according to your days off. For example, if you get four days off in a row, you can plan to have a family game night on the first day of your weekend. This way, even though shifts seem erratic, your time at home is not.

Have a united front. Children need to understand that even though one parent may spend more time at home than the other, they need to respect and obey both parents equally. Take time to discuss important parenting issues with your spouse, or with the other parent if separated. That ongoing conversation should include issues such as discipline, family rules, expectations of each other and the children, and how to spend your time off work and school.


Communicate. Just because you are gone for days at a time does not mean you cannot communicate with your children. Modern technology makes it possible to call, text, email and chat with anyone from virtually any location. While on your shift, take a few moments to check in and connect with your children on a daily basis.