Browse All Episodes

Listener Ashley is frustrated by both her husband and her co-parent. She frequently finds herself caught between them, and none of it is helpful to her 12-year-old son. Diane & Rick explore the difficulties of navigating this dilemma, and discuss both sides of the equation.

WE HAVE A NEW RESOURCES PAGE ON THE WEBSITE! Visit www.CPDilemmas.com/resources to view the email protocol, 20 Responses to Difficult Co-Parents, and other documents discussed on the podcast.

We are excited to announce a ne...

Diane & Rick respond to a listener’s question about withholding parenting time due to a history of domestic violence and continued toxicity in their other home. What are the steps to determine safety issues? How do parents balance protecting children with the risk of being accused of parental alienation? The co-hosts break it down.

WE HAVE A NEW RESOURCES PAGE ON THE WEBSITE! Visit www.CPDilemmas.com/resources to view the email protocol, 20 Responses to Difficult Co-Parents, and other documents...

Diane and Rick answer listener Carlos’ question about the confusing paragraph in his parenting plan regarding the summer schedule. His co-parent is attempting to manipulate the schedule to get more time than the plan intends. The hosts discuss alternative ways to structure a plan like this and the importance of minimizing conflict for the children so they can enjoy their summer vacation.

WE HAVE A NEW RESOURCES PAGE ON THE WEBSITE! Visit www.CPDilemmas.com/resources to view the email protocol, ...

Listener Colleen wants to stop communicating with her co-parent so she can get emotional relief. Diane & Rick revisit the importance of following the structured email protocol and talk about the pitfalls of going silent or ignoring the impossible co-parent.

WE HAVE A NEW RESOURCES PAGE ON THE WEBSITE! Visit www.CPDilemmas.com/resources to view the email protocol, 20 Responses to Difficult Co-Parents, and other documents discussed on out podcast.

We are excited to announce a new benefit for lis...

Diane & Rick address Zachary’s question about how to get his co-parent to stop bringing her toxic boyfriend to the children’s activities. He worries the children will get in the middle of the conflict. They discuss the purpose of setting a boundary is for proactive self-protection, not to manage the other parent’s behavior.

We are excited to announce a new benefit for listeners who become Patreon VIPs (for only $10/month)! Diane will be hosting support groups online every Wednesday at noon (EST...

Diane & Rick address listener Danny’s question about the top three issues facing high-conflict parents and how to resolve them. The hosts discuss the fact that the issues are not the problem, but what lies underneath them, such as the fears and threats that drive the conflict. They explore the idea that some conflicts are not worth fighting for if the feared outcome is merely possible, but not probable.

We are excited to announce a new benefit for listeners who become Patreon VIPs (for only $10...

Shawn asks a question about how to help her 19-year-old daughter repair her relationship with her father. Diane & Rick discuss the importance of acting parental no matter how old the child is. The discuss the daughter’s dilemma of not only competing for her father’s time, but dealing with the fact he married someone close to her age.

We are excited to announce a new benefit for listeners who become Patreon VIPs (for only $10/month)! Diane will be hosting support groups online every Wednesday at...

Sometimes approaching your court case without an attorney can leave you vulnerable and without all the information you need to make good decisions. Diane & Rick explore a listener’s frustrations about her parenting plan language and how things may have been different if she had not run out of money and had to act pro se.

We are excited to announce a new benefit for listeners who become Patreon VIPs (for only $10/month)! Diane will be hosting support groups online every Wednesday at noon (EST) f...

Diane & Rick answer listener Ryan’s question about which therapist he and his co-parent should choose for their daughter. The one nearest dad or mom? What really matters? Is it possible to have a “harmonious” discussion, as their parenting plan orders them to do? You might be surprised by their answers.

CLICK HERE to access the paragraph about Final Decision Making mentioned in this episode.
We are excited to announce a new benefit for listeners who become Patreon VIPs (for only $10/month)! Dia...

Diane & Rick discuss the mental health issues that are connected to someone with an extremely self-focused personality disorder, also known as a Narcissist. They differentiate the clinical information from what is promoted on social media and help listeners to determine how to respond to a narcissistic co-parent with good boundaries and not as a victim.

We are excited to announce a new benefit for listeners who become Patreon VIPs (for only $10/month)! Diane will be hosting support groups onlin...

Diane & Rick explore the phenomenon of children engaging in “gaslighting” as a strategy to either survive their parents’ conflict or to manipulate a parent to get what they want. Is it a learned behavior from an alienating parent, or is it part of something deeper? The hosts break it down.

If you have a problematic paragraph in your parenting plan that you would like the hosts to review, email it to 1234Dilemma@gmail.com.

The digital version of our Communication Protocol Workshop is available ...

Listener Heather shares a paragraph from her parenting plan entitled “Special Considerations”. Diane& Rick explore how you can go too far in trying to explain an abstract phrase and find yourself right back into the conflict that prompted the language to begin with! Ultimately, they settle on the simple concept of doing what is right without expecting reciprocation, which always benefits the child.

This episode is sponsored by SoberLink. For a discount on your device, CLICK HERE.

If you have a...

Diane & Rick address listener Shary’s dilemma about parenting time with an infant. How much does the co-parent relationship determine the best schedule? The hosts break it down, as well as discuss the similarities between toddlers and teens when it comes to co-parenting issues.

This episode is sponsored by SoberLink. For a discount on your device, CLICK HERE.

If you have a problematic paragraph in your parenting plan that you would like the hosts to review, email it to 1234Dilemma@gmail.com.

...

In another episode in the parenting plan disaster series, Diane & Rick review Camile’s parenting plan language about 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends. They discuss the problems with wording that seems fair in its attempt, but destined to create all kinds of unnecessary conflict. They provide a definition of “good faith” that would confuse the most astute legal scholar. Diane also shares her “Five Parenting Plan Commandments”.

This episode is sponsored by SoberLink. For a discount on your device, CLIC...

Listener Michael shares his problematic parenting plan language about birthday parties with Diane & Rick. They discuss not only the problem with the wording, but what really matters to the child — the one being honored by the celebrations. The hosts warn against creating language to manage co-parent conflict at the expense of the child.

This episode is sponsored by SoberLink. For a discount on your device, CLICK HERE.

If you have a problematic paragraph in your parenting plan that you would li...

Diane & Rick address a listener’s question about the meaning of dinner in his parenting plan. They discuss how some co-parents go to great lengths to misinterpret parenting plan language to interfere with the other parent’s time with the children. Discussed are ways to avoid these common traps and the unrealistic fears parents can have when their co-parent makes baseless threats about parenting plan language.

If you have a problematic paragraph in your parenting plan that you would like the hos...

Listener Colleen writes to get advice on how to manage her emotions and not answer her co-parent’s lying emails and texts. Diane & Rick discuss the importance of becoming desensitized to the other parent’s trigger attempts. As well as practice resisting the temptation to respond as a coping skill for the anxiety. Also discussed are strategies to begin the desensitization process.

If you have a problematic paragraph in your parenting plan that you would like the hosts to review, email it to 1234...

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 long-lasting consequences to giving in to a child’s request to stay away from school events and activities. They also discuss a new segment that will be added to the show to look at problematic parenting plan language.

If you have a problematic paragraph in your parenting plan that you would like the hosts to review, email it to 1234Dilemma@gm...

Diane & Rick address Trudy’s email that asks the question, “Is it too late for me?” They discuss strategies to help a 15-year-old stuck in the crossfire of his parents’ conflict - ABOUT HIM! They also tackle the tough dilemma of the effectiveness of fighting for custody when that may be playing right into the narcissist’s playbook. Additionally, can Trudy’s son forgive her for the mistakes she’s made? Listen and find out!

Want to know more about the DRAGON method? CLICK HERE to register for our...

Listener Leah emails that her child is blaming her for his distress over the divorce because she “broke the vows” in her marriage to dad. Diane & Rick know this sentiment is not coming from the child. How do you counter that kind of attack from the other parent? The hosts discuss how to talk with the child to help him understand life choices and unconditional love.

Want to know more about the DRAGON method? CLICK HERE to register for our live online workshop in January.

You’ll also find instru...

A non-impossible Facebook group contributor posts about a co-parent who refuses to communicate. Diane & Rick explore the fine line between setting an appropriate communication boundary and ghosting your co-parent. Is it about the technique or the attitude? They discuss the necessity of both.

FINALLY, the digital version of our Communication Protocol Workshop is available for purchase. Click here to buy the video.

To get a copy of the communication protocol order, CLICK HERE.

Want to talk abou...

Listener Travis asks how to manage holidays with the children when his co-parent historically makes plans on his time. He’s tired of her sabotaging every holiday, but doesn’t want the kids to be stuck in the middle. Should he set a boundary with her or let it go? Diane & Rick break it down.

Want to know more about the DRAGON method? CLICK HERE to register for our live online workshop in January. You’ll also find instructions about this method in the I Am Non-Impossible journal, AVAILABLE on Ama...

Diane & Rick reach into the listener mailbag to reveal how listeners are benefitting from the show and how they continue to feel railroaded by the court system. They discuss how some disordered people get away with attaching themselves to good people and then proceed to wreak havoc on their lives!

Want to know more about the DRAGON method? CLICK HERE to register for our live online workshop in January. You’ll also find instructions about this method in the I Am Non-Impossible journal, AVAILABLE...

Co-parenting with an impossible parent can be difficult enough, but what happens when grandparents get involved and make things worse? Listener Chrislyn asks Diane & Rick to weigh in about this on the show. They discuss the importance of boundaries in all relationships, especially the parent/adult child one. They walk Chrislyn through the DRAGON method to help her come to a peaceful place with her mom.

Want to know more about the DRAGON method discussed in this episode? CLICK HERE to register f...