PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE WITH IMPOSSIBLE CO-PARENTS!

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26
March 16, 2025

E5.E26. Narcissists in Co-Parenting & Time for a Pause

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Today, we are replaying one of our most popular episodes entitled “Narcissists in Co-Parenting.” We also want you to know that starting this week, we are taking a podcast pause for a little while to re-evaluate where we go from here. There is a lot of content for you to listen to while we’re on pause. If you are a new listener, this will give you ...
25
March 9, 2025

S5.E25. Falsely Accused

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Diane & Rick discuss the issues that arise when a co-parent is accused of parental alienation or child abuse. What drives the accusation, and what can be done to enlighten court professionals?

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24
March 2, 2025

S5.E24. The Dangers of Secret-Keeping

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Diane & Rick answer listener Rachel’s question about how to respond to her kids when their dad has asked them to keep a secret from her. They explore different ways kids are put in the middle with secret-keeping and the risks associated with it.

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23
Feb. 23, 2025

S5.E23. “Is There A Case Worse Than Mine?”: Cringeworthy Co-Parents

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Diane & Rick discuss some of their most difficult co-parent cases after listener Devin emails, wondering if any case is possibly worse than his! They discuss the importance of professionals working with the non-impossible parent

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Feb. 16, 2025

S5.E22. When Children Parrot the Other Parent’s Extreme Opinions

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Listener Thomas asks how to respond to his 13-year-old son, who declares extreme political ideology that Thomas knows is coming from the other house. Should he respond? Stay silent? How do you counteract extreme ideas or values that go against yours when it comes from your kids? Diane & Rick break it down.

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Feb. 9, 2025

REBROADCAST: The Impossible Dilemma

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Bethany calls in with a frustrating dilemma, and Jeff emails about a similar frustration. Diane & Rick discuss how difficult it is to be placed in a position of choosing your own peace vs. your child’s emotional welfare. This seemingly impossible dilemma is quite common among high conflict co-parents, and it requires a logical view of multiple var...
21
Feb. 2, 2025

S5.E21. Parent/Pediatrician Meet-Up: Brainstorming ideas to assist non-impossible co-parents

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Diane & Rick bring together a group of pediatricians and moms who have difficult co-parents to discuss innovative ways to work together. Kids of divorce often get stuck in the middle when a high-conflict co-parent weaponizes the medical community, leaving the other parent feeling marginalized and misunderstood. They discuss various ways parents us...
20
Jan. 26, 2025

S5.E20. When Dad and Teen Explode: Who’s Hurt & Who’s at Fault?

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Utah listener Heather wonders what more she can do to protect her two sons from their verbally abusive father. The 14-year-old explodes with dad, while the 13-year-old son witnesses the drama and tries to keep things from getting worse. Diane& Rick discuss the different roles children play in the family system and what Heather can do to help each ...
19
Jan. 19, 2025

S5.E19. Plan B Challenges! When Plan A is Not an Option

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Texas listener, Christa, answers a challenge Diane made in a previous episode to give her any dilemma, and she would suggest a viable Plan B. Diane & Rick discuss whether or not what Christa presents are co-parenting dilemmas or general parenting issues, and they provide suggestions accordingly. They also discuss the DRAGON method of devising a Pl...
18
Jan. 12, 2025

S5.E18. “My Feelings Matter!”: Does Every Feeling Need Validation?

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Listener Todd asks if he should validate his child’s feelings, even when she says she doesn’t like him? How far does a parent go, and are feelings valid (representing truth) or simply experiences to be understood? Diane & Rick suggest it’s important to explore the root of feelings, including assumptions, misinformation, mood, and delusions, before...
Jan. 5, 2025

REBROADCAST: Do I Give In to My Child’s Request to Stay Away?

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This is a REPLAY of one of the show’s most popular episodes (S4.E17.). We’ll be back with new episodes next week. Diane and Rick look at a conflict that on the surface might seem easy to resolve for the Non-Impossible parent. But upon further exploration, they unpack the long-lasting consequences of giving in to a child’s request to stay away from...
17
Dec. 29, 2024

S5.E17. Reunited after Alienation: Non-traditional Parenting is Key

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Listener Ben has been awarded custody of his daughter after the court determined her mother was alienating her from dad. He asks how to best parent his daughter after the trauma of alienation. Diane & Rick break it down and provide helpful, non-traditional advice to help him climb this daunting mountain.

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16
Dec. 22, 2024

S5.E16. Commit or Don’t Reconnect: Kids Need Consistency and Dependability

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Listener Kristen asks advice about her 9-year-old reengaging with his dad, who has been an extremely inconsistent parent. Diane & Rick discuss the harm to children when a parent consistently disappoints them by moving in and out of their lives. They discuss ways the listener can engage professionals to promote long-term success for the child.

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15
Dec. 15, 2024

S5.E15. Who is Served by the Right of First Refusal?

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Diane & Rick respond to recent social media posts about first right of refusal, a clause in some parenting plans that requires co-parents to give the other parent the option of being with the children when they are unable to fulfill their court-ordered parenting time. They explore the reasons behind this concept and question whether or not it is a...
14
Dec. 8, 2024

S5.E14. Grieving the Holiday Split

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Listener Kyle asks what the best holiday split is for teens. Diane & Rick ask a deeper question about what drives holiday negotiation in the beginning, when grief is most prominent. They discuss the importance of seeing the holidays through the children’s eyes instead of the parents’.

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13
Dec. 1, 2024

S5.E13. Donor Family Drama

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Diane & Rick address listener Laura’s dilemma with her ex-wife, who decided to introduce their two children to the donor dad’s family without her permission. They discuss the complications that come with divorce and adopted children, as well as the legal messiness when a biological parent decides to re-enter the picture after the kids have been ad...
12
Nov. 24, 2024

S5.E12. CRITICAL SKILLS: Pt. 3 - Why Using a Plan B Works

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In this third of a three-part series of why critical co-parenting skills work, Diane & Rick explore the importance of utilizing a Plan B when conflict arises. Somewhere between Plan A (a successful negotiation) and Plan C (going to court), there is a child-focused solution that doesn’t require the permission or agreement of the other parent.

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11
Nov. 17, 2024

S5.E11. CRITICAL SKILLS: Pt. 2 - Why Using a Structured Email Protocol Works

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Diane & Rick address Emily’s email about her know-it-all co-parent. They discuss the goal of utilizing a structured way of communicating and why it succeeds in managing the toxic co-parent, while ant the same time, adhering to a parenting plan that requires co-parents to share relevant information about their children.

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10
Nov. 10, 2024

S5.E10. CRITICAL SKILLS: Pt. 1 - Why Validating Your Kids’ Feelings Works

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Listener Trenton wants advice on how to respond to his 10-year-old daughter when she expresses frustration about going between two homes. In this first of a three-part series on why critical co-parenting skills work, Diane and Rick discuss the feelings/thoughts/values triangle and what is foundational about its use for all parents.

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9
Nov. 3, 2024

S5.E9. Is It “Wrong” to Move Out of State?

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Listener Georgina asks about the consequences of moving her 12-year-old daughter away from her dad. They discuss the reasons why she is feeling the need to escape and how helping her daughter develop appropriate coping skills may neutralize the moving dilemma.

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8
Oct. 27, 2024

S5.E8. What Medical Professionals Need to Understand about Impossibles

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At the prompting of a loyal listener, who is also a pediatrician, Diane & Rick address issues that come up in high-conflict co-parenting that medical professionals often do not understand. They provide suggestions to professionals to assist those with impossible co-parents in navigating their children’s healthcare with a little less stress.

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7
Oct. 20, 2024

S5.E7. The Nuts and Bolts of Parenting Coordination

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Diane & Rick discuss what parenting coordination is, how it differs from co-parent counseling, who qualifies to be a PC, and what should be expected in the process. Mentioned in this episode are guidelines that most trained professionals follow. To view, go to AFCC or APA for more info.

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6
Oct. 13, 2024

S5.E6. The Teen Dilemma

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Listener Heather wonders how she should respond to her 14-year-old son who, out of the blue, has decided not to return from the other parent’s house. Should she fight for him or let him have his way? Diane and Rick talk about the dilemma some teens face between craving love and approval from one parent that may result in hurting their other parent...
5
Oct. 6, 2024

S5.E5. The Alienated Step-Parent

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Duane & Rick explore the not often talked about subject of the pain of the alienated step-parent. Listener Tanner writes in to ask how to deal with the guilt of not being able to fight for a step-daughter who has only known him as a father figure in her life. Without legal rights, what can he do to let her know he has not abandoned her?

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