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A Reddit listener poses a common question about how to spend their first hour with a guardian ad litem in order to make a good impression. Diane & Rick discuss the weight of that responsibility and how stressful it can be. They pose several questions parents can ask of all court-ordered professionals that will guide them toward a productive relationship.

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If you are a ...

Diane & Rick address listener James’ question about the extremes his children experience between him and their mom. He is the relaxed parent and she is very rigid. Does it harm children to have such different parents? Do they need to be on the same page in a practical sense or is it good for the kids to experience the differences?

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If you are a professional working wit...

Heather wonders how to talk to her 11-year-old son about her co-parent’s marijuana use. He’s asking a lot of detailed questions, and she wants him to be able to trust his instincts. Are there times when telling the truth is beneficial to your child? If so, what’s the best way to do it? Diane & Rick break it down.

To learn more about the Center for Navigating Family Change, go to www.CNFC.org.

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Listener Heather writes to share her experience of using our DRAGON method to solve her childcare issue, rather than trying to convince her co-parent to help out. Diane & Rick discuss the value and emotional freedom of finding a Plan B. Diane shares her personal stories of struggling with resolving her own co-parent dilemmas back in the day.

To find out more about Care.com, as mentioned in the show, go to www.care.com.

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Diane & Rick explore the characteristics of “good” people who fall prey to coercively controlling partners. They discuss the need to emotionally manage the reaction of their partners, to be a good co-parent, and to be fully understood as the traps that are exploited by a narcissistic ex. They also role play a toxic interchange to explore how to shut down an unwanted conversation.

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Diane &Rick answer Jennifer’s question about her co-parent letting the children watch rated “R” horror movies. They discuss the importance of not fighting against what is out of her control, but finding a way to show interest with the kids to start a meaningful conversation. Also discussed is how the anxious parent can be interpreted as controlling and their co-parent rebelling instead of using good common sense.

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Todd emails a question about convincing the court to order a communication protocol or app. He wonders if he should fight for it or let it go. And by the way, he says his co-parent is a narcissist! Diane & Rick talk about the fallacy of thinking there is a way for anyone (including the court) to make a narcissist do anything he/she doesn’t want to do. Instead, Todd needs to think about how to not be so dependent on what his co-parent chooses to do.

To listen to Karen’s podcast, go to www.journe...

Diane & Rick welcome podcaster Karen McMahon on this episode to discuss Lauren’s email about co-parenting with her cheating ex. What is the expectation when you have been betrayed? How do you help your children who also may feel angry about it? Also discussed is the difference between a therapist and a coach. The three hosts discuss how to find good professionals in the midst of betrayal.

To listen to Karen’s podcast, go to www.journeybeyonddivorce.com. She also facilitates a high-conflict divo...

Jenny shares her frustration with her narcissistic co-parent, who would rather she disappear than exercise her parenting time. But Jenny isn’t giving up, despite her physical limitations due to a brain injury. Diane & Rick share powerful words of encouragement for Jenny and anyone who is willing to think of what children need instead of how to combat the narcissism. They remind listeners that custody does not equal good parenting. The ultimate boundary for Jenny has already been achieved.

Want ...

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 happening to his co-parent relationship? Diane & Rick break it down.

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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 avoid conflict and the importance of strengthening the marital bond to deal with the stresses of a blended family.

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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 he would be more agreeable after divorce, but is finding that he shuts down every request, including moving from homeschooling to public education for their young daughter.

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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, finding humor in the narcissist personality, and visualization techniques to manage negative emotions in the present.

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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 together, they either must get their co-parents to agree to a custody change or put their dreams on hold. Diane & Rick discuss the importance of prioritizing children’s needs even if that means putting personal desires aside for a time.

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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 variables to makes sense of what feels senseless.

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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 well as what to say to the teen, and maybe the other parent about this so-called promise.

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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 living in the same house during an angry divorce process and what to do when you have no faith the other parent will step up and be responsible.

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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 look into what the research says about parenting plans and very young children, follow this LINK.

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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 or make him go.

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The print-version of theI Am Non-Impossible journal is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon for a limited-time price of only $9.9...

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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DON’T FORGET!
The print-version of theI Am Non-Impossible journal is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon for a limited-time price of only $9.95 (Kindle vers...

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 is such a bad actor. As usual, the hosts talk about what matters to the kids.

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DON’T FORGET!
The print-version of theI Am Non-Impossible journal i...

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 child of divorce, weighs in with how kids feel about living in a high-conflict parenting situation and gives advice about seeing things from the child’s point of view.

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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 inform him. Diane and Rick use the process outlined in their new journal (DRAGON) to unpack this complicated conflict and teach Thomas how to think differently about it.

VISIT OUR HOLIDAY STORE, with Rick’s Picks and Diane’s Deals! You’ll see special Amazon discounts on grea...

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 by the co-parent who is frustrated with a narcissistic co-parent. Diane and Rick address Paul from Phoenix who wants help with his. Although changing someone with personality flaws of any type is nearly impossible, using protective boundaries in communication can minimize c...