Routines and coparenting as interrelated family management systems

This article presents a conceptual model drawing from family systems theory that focuses on the intersection of coparenting and routine development and maintenance as a key process in family management. The importance of both coparenting and routines for family management has been clearly articulated in the literature; however, how they impact one another and work together in family management has not been conceptualized. After briefly reviewing the literature, we articulate a model of family management that includes the establishment, monitoring, and adjustment of routines, orchestrated by the coparental subsystem. We then explore the intersection of coparenting and routine development, examining how both systems of family management influence each other. We argue that when coparenting and routines work effectively together, the result is greater levels of family integrity and continuity. Finally, we provide suggestions for further empirical work and practical implications.