What exactly is Parenting Coordination?
Parenting Coordination is a non-confidential, child centered process for conflicted divorced and divorcing parents. It is a form of dispute resolution for parents in which mediation would be inappropriate or ineffective due to high levels of conflict. Through education, mediation and case management, the family’s progress is monitored to ensure that parents are fulfilling their obligations to their child while complying with the recommendations of the court. With prior approval of the parties and/or the Court, the PC may make temporary decisions, within the scope of the court order or appointment contract, to help high-conflict parents who have demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to make parenting decisions on their own. The role of the parent coordinator is outlined by the authority granted in the court order or the stipulation of the parties.
Parenting Coordinators assist parents establish and maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship by reducing parental conflict and the risk factors that influence a child’s post-divorce adjustment. The overall emphasis is to offer children the opportunity to grow in a home environment free from the devastating stress of being caught in the middle of parental conflict.
Since parenting coordination is a non-confidential process, parenting coordinators document parental behaviors and compliance with court orders. This is usually done through memos and, if necessary, by testimony to the Court. The parenting coordinators may share their concerns regarding each parent and make recommendations regarding unresolved issues.
What are the benefits of Parent Coordination?
- Enhancing the child’s confidence and self-esteem by creating an optimal environment for growth.
- Reducing the child’s symptoms of stress as parental conflict decreases.
- Diminishing the child’s sense of loyalty binds.
- Increasing the likelihood of keeping two active parents in the child’s life.
- Creating a more relaxed home atmosphere allowing the child to adjust more effectively.
Benefits Parents by:
- Educating parents regarding the impact of parental conflict on the child’s development.
- Teaching parents anger management, communication and conflict resolution skills, and children’s issues in divorce.
- Working with parents in developing a detailed parenting plan.
Benefits Families by:
- Reducing the number of litigated cases.
- Communicating to parents that the child(ren) come first.
- Offering families a valuable resource.
- Providing prompt resolution to daily child-rearing issues.
- Monitoring parental compliance with the court orders.
- Providing the Court a comprehensive picture of the family “in action” by way of court testimony.
Benefits the Legal Community by:
- Decreasing the number of client calls and micromanagement of the difficult case.
- Improving client behavior and cooperation.
- Providing prompt and consistent resolution.
- Monitoring compliance with the court order.
- Reducing the number of litigated cases.
- Providing prompt resolution to daily child-rearing issues.
For more information visit:
http://www.parentingcoordinationcentral.com/