Co-Parent Dilemmas

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the con...

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.

Want to talk about thi...

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the co...

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 person...

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.

Want to talk about this ep...

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the conversation on the NON-Impos...

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other p...

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the conversation on ...

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the conversation on the NON-Impossibles Facebook group

REGISTER FOR OUR 2023 VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS!

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…

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the conversation on the NON-Impossibles Facebook group

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

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.

Want to talk about this episode with Diane and other parents? Be part of the conversation on the NON-Impossibles Faceb...

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.

Want to talk about this episode wi...

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 R...

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 im...

Diane and Rick talk to a group of listeners about theCase from Hell and how it related to their own situations. Also, Diane speaks to Sarah, as she describes the hell she has been in for several years and the toll it has taken on her and her entire family.

To view the Case from Hell timeline details and notes, follow this LINK.

To read more about Bill McGee and his book, Half the Child, visit his website. The boo...

In this final discussion with a Dream Team member, Diane & Rick hear from Georgia Superior Court Judge Angela Duncan. Not surprisingly, as a former family law attorney and GAL, Judge Duncan has strong opinions about the professionals who let this family down. She also discusses the limitations of the court when the attorneys fail their clients.

Want your friends to listen? Send them to www.CPDilemmas.com/hell

Diane & Rick explore the complexities of psychological child abuse with mental health expert Dr. Kelley Baker. Why did Sarah’s custody evaluator miss this tragic component? There are no clear answers, but important lessons to learn.

Want your friends to listen? Send them to www.CPDilemmas.com/hell

To view the Case from Hell timeline details and notes, follow this LINK.

To get a special discount on th...

Attorney Todd Orston joins Diane and Rick to break down what it means to zealously advocate for a client, and how Sarah’s attorney has missed the mark.

To reach Todd Orston, visit him on his firm’s website HERE. You can also listen to his podcast, Divorce Team Radio, HERE.

Want your friends to listen? Send them to www.CPDilemmas.com/hell3

To view the Case from Hell timeline details and notes, follow thi...

Diane and Rick discuss the case with Guardian ad litem, Debra Hale. she talks about the role of the GAL, misconceptions about their jobs, and how a GAL in this case could have made a huge difference for the children.

Want your friends to listen? Send them to www.CPDilemmas.com/hell2

To view the Case from Hell timeline details and notes, follow this LINK.

We’ve created a special Facebook DISCUSSION GROUP ...