Parent and Child themes

  • I use the Astra theme by Brainstorm Force. Due to a few recent issues with our site, Brainstorm support recommended that I install a Child theme and do most of my work in that theme. My understanding of Child vs Parent is that this is to ensure the work in the Child is not lost if there is an update to the Parent that creates issues.

    I’m asking a few questions here and not to Brainstorm support because I think these questions may be broader and more general than Astra specific questions.

    In general, does only the Parent automatically update? If so, how and when should I update the Child? And if there were issues in the Parent update, won’t those issues be brought over to the Child when I update it?

    Should I add custom CSS in the Child only? And never work in the Parent again?

    Should I edit the Customizer in the Child only? And never work in the Parent again?

    This whole Parent theme and Child theme is a bit confusing to me.

    Thank you for any help you can provide – Todd

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • lisa

    (@contentiskey)

    When I am initially setting up a site with a Parent theme and a Child theme – I do not make any changes/customizations in the Parent theme files or CSS– all changes/customizations are done in child theme files or CSS.

    A theme like Astra which is available in the www.ads-software.com theme’s directory may have updates periodically. You can accept those updates which will apply to the parent theme. Any customizations done to in the child theme to files or CSS will be preserved.

    Astra theme has a guide to setting up a child theme: https://wpastra.com/guides-and-tutorials/wordpress-create-child-theme/

    If you are setting up a child theme AFTER you have already done some customizations to parent theme files or CSS -you will need to put the previously done customizations into the child theme if you want to continue using the customizations. Be sure to make a backup of your site’s database and files.

    Thread Starter sagetone

    (@sagetone)

    Thank you, Lisa. OK, I’m starting to get it. Child themes simply don’t update like Parent themes do. But do you ever manually update your Child theme? I suppose the old argument could be made, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, so why update a theme that is working?

    I am now certain that I got into this mess because there was an Astra update that broke several things on our Shop page. To correct one of the issues (padding added to the paragraph block), Brainstorm support advised that I needed to install the Child theme and add a filter to functions.php. Done, and resolved.

    Referencing your last paragraph above… we have had this website for 3+ years and just now set up the Child theme. I have moved the custom CSS from the Parent to the Child and will now only make modifications in the Child. I do have a question about content, though. Is that modified in the Child or should I still modify basic content (eg, text) in the Parent?

    Thread Starter sagetone

    (@sagetone)

    @contentiskey , thank you for your reply. I responded with a few additional questions. Can you advise?

    lisa

    (@contentiskey)

    After the site becomes publically usable – I update child theme only as needed to change a templete or some CSS. Depending on the project, sometimes it’s rare that I make a change, sometimes the changes are more frequent if the project is active.

    My experience: When many changes are needed to child theme after a long time, it might be time for a re-design.

    If you are referring to content (like in page, posts, custom post types ) – the content is stored in the database.

    Classic Themes (like Astra) probably have many files…however, the actual files in your child theme might be just a few. Suggestion: work in a private staging site to be sure you capture ALL of the changes and customizations that were preiviously done in the parent theme files — avoid further disruptions to your live production site with shop transactions happening. Add your child theme after you are sure it’s all set.

    As you probably have realized, it’s best to have the child theme set from the start…but technically, it’s never to late to fix the situation — it just takes more time, attention and care.

    Thread Starter sagetone

    (@sagetone)

    Thank you Lisa / @contentiskey. I appreciate all your insight.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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