PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE WITH IMPOSSIBLE CO-PARENTS!

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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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Oct. 2, 2022

63. 50/50 Pitfalls, Managing Clothing, and the BIG REVEAL!

Diane & Rick address a listener question about 50/50 custody and the nightmare of keeping track of clothing between houses, as well as how difficult the schedule can be for kids of high-conflict co-parents. They also talk abo...

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Sept. 25, 2022

62. Rage and Revenge: A mom’s campaign against stepmom

Rhonda asks for advice about how to deal with a mom who is falsely accusing stepmom of abuse and who goes to extremes to destroy her life. Diane and Rick discuss various roles in the family system and how they need to be clea...

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Sept. 18, 2022

61. The Double Bind: Damned if you do…or don’t

A listeners wonders if it’s healthy to spend family time with her co-parent and her son, even though she considers her ex her enemy! If she keeps pretending to be nice, is that an insurance policy to keep him from taking her ...

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Sept. 4, 2022

59: My Favorite Guardian: Do they really care about the best interests of children?

Diane & Rick pose a variety of questions, begging rational answers, about the role of Guardians ad litem in custody cases. Prompted by questions from a professional and a co-parent, they explore how professional delays and co...

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Aug. 27, 2022

58. Too Cool for School: The parenting style clash

Diane & Rick address Patrick’s question about his fear of having structure and rules in his home. He worries that after a couple of years of being the fun house, setting rules now might make his house unattractive to the kids...

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Aug. 21, 2022

57. “My Parents are Cozying Up to My Ex!”

Diane & Rick address Danielle’s dilemma about her co-parent trying to befriend her parents during the divorce process. She’s feeling stuck in the middle between her whining ex and her too-friendly parents. Also, discussed in ...

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Aug. 14, 2022

Daddy's Little Secret

One of the most difficult situations co-parents have to deal with is when there are secrets kept between them. Secrets are usually pretty important topics and should probably be disclosed to the other co-parent, and if the ch...

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July 31, 2022

54. When Do You Tell Your Date about Your Crazy Co-parent?

Aaron asks an interesting email question about when it is best to reveal to a new dating partner that you have a very difficult co-parent. Diane & Rick not only address Aaron’s concerns, but talk about dating with children in...

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July 24, 2022

53. The Revolving Door of Girlfriends (and other things Mom is not okay with)

Rachel emails about various things her children report about their father’s house that she is not okay with. Diane and Rick explore the definition of good enough parenting and the importance of discerning the children’s feeli...

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July 20, 2022

BONUS Episode: Stepfamily Mission Possible

This mid-week Bonus episode is an introduction to Bill and Jen Rogers’ podcast called Stepfamily Mission Possible . To listen to other episodes about blending families, find them on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen. To g...

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July 17, 2022

52. Get Over It! Why so bitter after all these years?

Diane & Rick address Carolina’s email about her hateful ex-husband, who is remarried with a new baby five years after the divorce - but still has a major axe to grind with her even though she is trying to include him in major...

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July 10, 2022

51. Don’t Take the Bait: Avoiding the violence trap

Rodney has a two-year-old with his ex-girlfriend. He ended the relationship because she was constantly taunting him into a violent interchange, which he refused to do. Now, she won’t let him see the child unless he comes to h...

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July 3, 2022

50. Listener Mashup: Big questions, short answers

Diane & Rick tackle some big questions they’ve been asked on social media that are common, but don’t have simple solutions. They attempt to give their best foundational assessment of each one, and get personal while they’re ...

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June 26, 2022

49. Nothing Left to Give

Attorney, Lauren, emails about her client, who continually gives into his co-parent out of fear she will turn the kids against him. Lauren worries this is going to ruin his new marriage if he doesn’t stop catering to his ex. ...

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June 19, 2022

48. The Power of Boundaries with the Overcommunicator

Jake emails about how to get his co-parent to follow the weekly email protocol. He’s tired of answering her multiple texts each day and wants to have some peace. Diane & Rick discuss the importance of setting the boundary and...

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June 12, 2022

47. I’m Tired of Adjusting to My Co-Parent!

Diane & Rick answer Dena’s email questions about her alcoholic co-parent who tells their 9-year-old that the divorce is all mom’s fault. She is exhausted that he won’t listen to their co-parent counselor or take responsibilit...

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June 5, 2022

46. Summertime Blues with the Impossible Co-Parent

Colin writes that his co-parent’s purposeful resistance to anything he wants or suggests is driving him nuts. He wonders how he will stand to deal with her for the next 15 years! Diane & Rick discuss how to prioritize issues ...

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May 29, 2022

45. The Importance of Research and Trained Professionals

Diane and Rick talk about listener reviews and discuss what they learned in their trip to Chicago, attending the AFCC (Association for Family and Conciliation Courts ) annual conference. They report on themes learned at the c...

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May 22, 2022

44. Teen Heartbreak: An estranged father’s dilemma

Andy writes in about his alienated 16-year-old daughter and the hurt and pain of not having a relationship with her. He wonders if she is becoming a narcissist like her mom and if it would simply be better to give up on her. ...

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May 15, 2022

43. Narcissists and the Court: A conversation with Judge Warren Davis

Judge Warren Davis, a Georgia County Superior Court judge, visits the show to discuss how he views narcissistic co-parents and the tactics he uses to sanction them when their controlling behavior is out of control. Diane & Ri...

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May 8, 2022

42. How Long Will It Hurt?

Diane & Rick answer a listener’s question about co-parenting with someone she can’t stand. Is it possible to be a “good” co-parent when you have such negative feelings, or are the feelings simply part of the natural grief pro...

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