PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE WITH IMPOSSIBLE CO-PARENTS!

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March 24, 2022

36. The Two Faces of My Child

A second voicemail from Lydia illuminates a common issue -- a child who acts one way at home, but quite differently on a phone call while at the other parent's home. What is really going on here? Diane and Rick discuss the ph...

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March 20, 2022

35. Does My Child Need Counseling?

Lydia from North Carolina calls in to ask what to do for her 10-year-old, who seems to be in distress about events happening at her other parent’s home. Diane & Rick unpack when it is appropriate to speak to the other parent ...

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March 13, 2022

34. Don’t Expect in Divorce What You Didn’t Get in Marriage!

Diane & Rick address an email from listener, Anthony, who feels powerless to improve his co-parent relationship. They discuss the importance of taking care of his own emotions so he doesn’t use his child as a sounding board. ...

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March 6, 2022

33. High-Conflict Litigation: An interview with Dr. Ben Garber

Diane & Rick talk to expert and researcher Dr. Ben Garber about the necessity of family law professionals approaching family law litigation from a systems perspective, using a Sherlock Holmes method of elimination to understa...

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Feb. 27, 2022

32. When is the Cure More Destructive than the Disease?

Diane talks with Rick about her frustrations with how the court system often works against the high-conflict family in litigation. Too many cooks (professionals) in the kitchen (on the case) can prove to be a cure that is wor...

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Feb. 20, 2022

31. “Disneyland Dad”: What really matters in parenting?

Tara emails a question about her co-parent, who she thinks spoils the children and is too permissive. What is the best parenting style in divorce? Will the kids reject you if they don’t like your style? Diane & Rick discuss ...

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Feb. 13, 2022

30. Never Married vs. Divorced Co-Parenting: What’s the difference?

Travis writes in and asks about the nuances of co-parenting an infant when he and the other parent were never married. Is co-parenting after divorce different than if you were never married? What does the research say about s...

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Feb. 6, 2022

29. Long-Distance Parenting: Can it Work?

Diane & Rick unpack the risks and benefits of using social media in long-distance parenting, as well as what details should be included in a long-distance parenting plan. RESOURCES discussed on this episode: https://cnfc.org/...

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Jan. 30, 2022

28. The Passive-Aggressive Co-Parent

Tom emails a question about how to respond when his co-parent goes silent on a time-sensitive decision and how to react to the children, who seem to be using the same passive-aggressive techniques with him. Diane & Rick disc...

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Jan. 23, 2022

27. Let’s Fight about Semantics! Defining parenting plan terms

In this episode, Diane & Rick answer a question from a parenting coordinator about how to define a medical expense and an extracurricular activity, especially as it pertains to financial reimbursement from one co-parent to th...

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Jan. 16, 2022

26. Kids Protecting an Alienating Parent

David asks if he should ask the court for more time with his kids because of alienating behaviors he suspects their mom is encouraging. Diane & Rick discuss the risks of making an already insecure parent more insecure by furt...

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Jan. 9, 2022

25. Infidelity & Identity

Diane & Rick help a mom with a daughter who is angry at her because she had an affair on her dad. How much detail do kids need about their parents’ breakup? What value is the “truth” in these situations? Listen to a discussio...

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Jan. 2, 2022

24. Life Ain’t Fair

Emma from Atlanta thinks one of her her co-parent’s decisions isn’t fair to their child, who is experiencing anxiety and nightmares. How much of it is connected to the dad’s decision, and what part does the co-parent conflict...

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Dec. 26, 2021

23. What is a “Good” Co-Parent? Defining the NON-Impossible

Diane & Rick respond to an email from Janelle who struggles to please her co-parent without being walked on, and at the same time is afraid to set boundaries for fear her ex and the court will see her as a "bad" co-parent. Th...

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Dec. 19, 2021

22. Co-Parent Holiday Blues

This time of year presents unique challenges for co-parents that those who don't understand (like extended family members) struggle to grasp. Diane and Rick talk about how to manage the many issues and emotions co-parents fac...

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Dec. 12, 2021

21. “She’s keeping the kids from me!”

Mark from Georgia emails that his co-parent refuses to allow him to have time with their two sons. Diane & Rick discuss practical solutions to help Mark work through this issue, but they also provide important emotional consi...

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Dec. 5, 2021

20. The Dangers of Narcissism

In this episode, Diane talks candidly with Rick about the distinction between narcissitic personality disorder and narcissitic tendencies that we all may struggle with. They discuss how narcisstic abuse affects co-parents and...

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Nov. 28, 2021

19. What’s in a Name?

A listener in Vancouver shares a concern about his 4-year-old being encouraged to call his step-father "Dad" and wants to know if he should correct this or talk to his co-parent about teaching their child that he only has on...

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Nov. 21, 2021

18. “I’m 14, and I can do what I want!”

Diane & Rick join Leh Meriwether and Todd Orston of Divorce Team Radio in a discussion about the benefits and risks of a 14-year-old making a custody decision. Although they specifically discuss a Georgia law regarding when a...

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Nov. 14, 2021

17. What About Me?: The right of first refusal dilemma

Alma poses a question about child safety and right of first refusal. Diane & Rick unpack the complexities of these issues and how to focus on keeping the child out of the middle and engaged with the trusted parent. CLICK HERE...

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Nov. 7, 2021

16. A Kid with Two Homes

Diane & Rick address a listener dilemma about sticking to the parenting plan or being flexible with weekend time. Blogger Bella Duncan ( www.akidwithtwohomes.com ) weighs in with how kids feel about living in a high-conflict ...

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Oct. 31, 2021

15. Grandparent Dilemmas

Diane & Rick answer listener Kathy’s question about access to grandchildren after divorce. She is frustrated that her ex daughter-in-law won’t be flexible about her time with the kids when the grandparents are in town. Rick &...

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Oct. 24, 2021

14. My Child's Too Busy for Me :-(

Diane and Rick address Jared's dilemma with his co-parent regarding too many activities on his parenting time. He claims the other parent is purposely involving their child in activities on his weekends, and it's negatively a...

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Oct. 17, 2021

13. How Soon is too Soon?

A listener asks about introducing his new dating partner to the children. Diane & Rick explore all of the risks and benefits of introducing too soon, how it affects children, and talking to his co-parent about it. Should he h...

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