Practical solutions for those with impossible co-parents!

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March 19, 2023

S3.E11. But Things We’re Going So Well! Enter the girlfriend…

Chris writes in and says things were going very well for him and his co-parent until he started dating seriously after several years post divorce. He did everything right, but now things have gone horribly wrong. What is happ...

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March 12, 2023

S3.E10. Help! I’m Stuck Between a Borderline Co-Parent and an Enraged Spouse

Diane & Rick address John’s email about how to help his 16-year-old son when he and the son are stuck between mom and step-mom’s conflict. Discussed in this episode are ways to build a relationship with a teen who isolates to...

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March 5, 2023

S3.E9. Is it Worth Going to Court?

How do you know when it’s a good idea to seek the court’s help with co-parenting issues? Diane & Rick discuss four things to consider as they process listener Jess’s questions about her uncooperative co-parent. She was hoping...

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Feb. 26, 2023

S3.E8. What to Do with All That Anger! Putting your narcissistic co-parent in perspective

Kelvin rants about how his narcissistic co-parent steals his credit as a parent and is constantly inserting herself into his life. He asks what he should do with all of his anger. Diane & Rick explore managing expectations, f...

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Feb. 19, 2023

S3.E7. Romance and Co-Parenting: It’s Complicated!

Eva emails the show and asks how to move forward with the love of her life and maintain both of their children’s school and activity schedules. The issue is, they live 90 minutes apart from one another. In order to move in to...

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Feb. 12, 2023

S3.E6. The Impossible Dilemma

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...

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Feb. 5, 2023

S3.E5. My Dad’s Gonna Buy Me a Car!

Therapist Carol poses a question about a client’s narcissistic co-parent, who apparently wants to buy his 14-year-old’s love. Diane & Rick explore the complications of weaning from the parent/child bond in the teen years, as ...

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Jan. 29, 2023

S3.E4. She’s Moving in with Her Lover!

Gary wonders what custody plan can work for his two young children, given that their mother plans to move in with someone she had an affair with, who is a foster parent to four children. Diane & Rick discuss how to manage liv...

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Jan. 22, 2023

S3.E3. My Baby's Too Young for Sleepovers!

A listener wonders if an infant should have overnight visits with the father while she is breastfeeding. Diane and Rick explore this common concern and discuss what is important at this tender age of development. For a deeper...

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Jan. 15, 2023

S3.E2. Manipulation or Child Abuse: How Do You Know for Sure?

Diane & Rick address a difficult listener question about child abuse. Jennifer’s 5-year-old son doesn’t want to see his dad because dad is abusing him. Mom is worried about her son and wonders if she should withhold custody ...

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Jan. 8, 2023

S3.E1. “Am I an Impossible Co-Parent?”: You might be if…

A listener surprisingly asks if his ex might be right about him. Maybe he IS an impossible co-parent after all! Diane and Rick address this unusual question in a Jeff Foxworthy style - You might be an impossible co-parent if…...

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Jan. 1, 2023

BONUS: Why So Bitter After All These Years?

In this replay of a 2022 episode (S1:E52), Diane & Rick talk about the personal value of forgiveness and the destruction of hanging on to bitterness. Listener Carolina wonders how it is possible to co-parent with someone who ...

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Dec. 25, 2022

BONUS: A Kid with Two Homes: A Discussion with Bella Duncan

In this replay of a 2021 episode (S1:E16), Diane & Rick address a listener dilemma about sticking to the parenting plan or being flexible with weekend time. Australian Blogger Bella Duncan ( www.akidwithtwohomes.com ), a chil...

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Dec. 18, 2022

BONUS: Doctor Office Drama - Slaying the Conflict D.R.A.G.O.N.

In this replay of episode S1:E65, Diane and Rick discuss an email from Thomas in Ontario, who shares his dilemma about attending his toddler’s doctors appointments, while having to endure his co-parent’s drama or failure to i...

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Dec. 11, 2022

BONUS: Responding to an Impossible Co-Parent

In this replay from season 1, Diane & Rick get real about dealing with a narcissistic co-parent. Phrases like crazy-making, gas-lighting. twisting words, and avoiding responsibility, are just a few of the many complaints made...

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Dec. 4, 2022

S2.E6. Case from Hell: Sarah speaks out and a listener discussion

Diane and Rick talk to a group of listeners about theCase from Hell and how it related to their own situations. Also, Diane speaks to Sarah, as she describes the hell she has been in for several years and the toll it has take...

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Nov. 27, 2022

S2.E5. Case from Hell: Our Dream Team Judge Slams the Gavel!

In this final discussion with a Dream Team member, Diane & Rick hear from Georgia Superior Court Judge Angela Duncan. Not surprisingly, as a former family law attorney and GAL, Judge Duncan has strong opinions about the profe...

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Nov. 20, 2022

S2.E4. Case from Hell: Our Dream Team Custody Evaluator Gets Real about Abuse

Diane & Rick explore the complexities of psychological child abuse with mental health expert Dr. Kelley Baker. Why did Sarah’s custody evaluator miss this tragic component? There are no clear answers, but important lessons to...

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Nov. 13, 2022

S2.E3. Case from Hell: Our Dream Team Attorney is On Fire

Attorney Todd Orston joins Diane and Rick to break down what it means to zealously advocate for a client, and how Sarah’s attorney has missed the mark. To reach Todd Orston , visit him on his firm’s website HERE . Want your f...

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Nov. 6, 2022

S2.E2. Case from Hell: Dream Team GAL Discussion

Diane and Rick discuss the case with Guardian ad litem, Debra Hale. she talks about the role of the GAL, misconceptions about their jobs, and how a GAL in this case could have made a huge difference for the children. Want you...

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Oct. 30, 2022

S2.E1. The Case from Hell: Introduction and Overview

Diane and Rick host a special 5-part-series for Season 2 of the podcast, showcasing a real-life and extremely difficult custody case. In this episode, they present the timeline that spans 7 years of court documents, police re...

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Oct. 23, 2022

66. Benefit of the Doubt? You don’t know MY ex!

Diane and Rick respond to a listener review that takes issue with the idea of giving difficult parents the benefit of the doubt. She wonders if that is encouraging further emotional abuse. They respond by explaining the diffe...

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Oct. 16, 2022

65. Doctor Office Drama - Slaying the conflict DRAGON!

Thomas from Ontario shares his dilemma about attending his toddler’s doctors appointments, while having to endure his co-parent’s drama or failure to inform him. Diane and Rick use the process outlined in their new journal (D...

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Oct. 9, 2022

64. “Why does he turn everything positive into a negative?”: Distorted cognitions as a strategy

Tamika from Alabama wonders why her co-parent persists in finding the bad in her, especially since she is trying so hard to be a good co-parent. Diane & Rick break it down and discuss how grieving parents or high conflict peo...

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