Law of Parental Proximity...

In parenting, it's tempting to overhear a dispute between your kids and try to resolve it. That's natural.

The NFO and I have added a new axiom. The LPP (Law of Parental Proximity).

That means, whichever parent is closer to the action at the time of conflict is the de facto field commander until he or she decides to abdicate that position to the other spouse.

What that means for the spouse who is farther removed is that s/he must resist the temptation to communicate over the de facto commander to the kids, thereby calling the chain of command into question and reducing the field commander's effectiveness.

The further removed spouse can consult directly with the field commander, of course, and collaborate on the best course of action.

The LPP. You heard it here first.