Purpose Gynecological cancer patients with minor children often experience significant parenting concerns. Time perspective, a multidimensional cognitive orientation toward past, present, and future, may influence how patients cope with parenting-related stress. This study examines how different time perspective dimensions (past-negative, past-positive, present-hedonistic, present-fatalistic, future, and deviation from balanced time perspective) relate to parenting concerns, and whether self-disclosure and perceived partner responsiveness serve as sequential mediators.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 266 gynecological cancer patients from three tertiary hospitals in China. Participants completed measures of time perspective, self-disclosure, perceived partner responsiveness, and parenting concerns. Chain mediation analysis was performed using PROCESS.Results Effects varied markedly across dimensions. Past-negative showed significant direct effects on all parenting concern dimensions (β = 0.219–0.371, P < 0.01). Future, present-fatalistic, and deviation from balanced time perspective exerted indirect effects only through the chain path of "perceived partner responsiveness → self-disclosure" (total indirect effects = − 0.180, 0.156, and 0.192). This chain mediation was significant only for concerns about the co-parent (15.9%–19.6% of total indirect effects). Past-positive and present-hedonistic showed no significant associations.Conclusion Different time perspective dimensions influence parenting concerns through distinct pathways—some directly, others indirectly via relational processes—with notable specificity for co-parent concerns. These findings highlight the importance of fostering adaptive time perspectives and supportive dyadic communication in psychosocial interventions.