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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 ...

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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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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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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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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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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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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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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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...

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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...

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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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Diane & Rick address listener Mindy’s dilemma around the struggle between her and her co-parent around medical decision-making. They discuss conflicts around common childhood issues such as ADHD, sensory disorders, anxiety, autism, dental appointments, etc. and whether or not pursuing court action as a remedy is better for the child than other alt...

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Diane & Rick discuss mediation and some of the issues that can interfere with the process if co-parents are not well-informed. They explore the pitfalls of using the shuttle only technique, the coerciveness of marathon sessions, and what happens when mediators fail to trust the process.

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Listener Terry asks for advice on how to approach filing a contempt action and what to expect in the process. Diane & Rick discuss several points to consider, including variances among county courts, choosing a good family law attorney, setting appropriate goals, understanding what the court’s responsibility is (and is not), and having realistic e...

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Listener Frannie emails Diane & Rick to ask why her co-parent doesn’t want to teach their children life lessons. The hosts discuss the importance of helping children become resilient and cautions co-parents about the messages kids learn when parents label the other parent’s attempts at parenting as wrong or abusive.

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