Parenting coordination is a process in which a trained professional, known as a parenting coordinator, helps parents who are experiencing difficulty communicating or cooperating in the best interest of their child. The role of the parenting coordinator is to work with the parents to develop a parenting plan, and to assist them in implementing and complying with the plan. They also help to resolve disputes that may arise between the parents, and may make recommendations to the court about the best interests of the child. The goal of parenting coordination is to minimize the negative impact of the parents’ conflict on the child and to promote the child’s well-being.
One of the primary responsibilities of a parenting coordinator is to assist parents in developing a parenting plan. This plan is a document that outlines the specific details of how the parents will raise their child, including issues such as decision-making, communication, and child-rearing responsibilities. The parenting coordinator works with the parents to ensure that the plan is in the best interest of the child and is realistic and enforceable. This process can be difficult and emotional for parents, and the parenting coordinator serves as a neutral third party to facilitate the conversation and help the parents come to a mutually acceptable agreement.
Once a parenting plan is developed, the parenting coordinator helps the parents to implement and comply with the plan. This includes monitoring the parents’ compliance with the plan, providing education and resources to the parents, and helping to resolve any disputes that may arise. The parenting coordinator serves as a mediator between the parents and helps to facilitate communication and cooperation. They may also provide recommendations to the court about the best interests of the child and the effectiveness of the parenting plan.
In addition to assisting with the development and implementation of a parenting plan, the parenting coordinator also works to minimize the negative impact of the parents’ conflict on the child. Parents who are involved in a high-conflict custody dispute may struggle to put the needs of their child first, and the child may be caught in the middle of the conflict. The parenting coordinator helps to ensure that the child’s well-being is a priority and works with the parents to minimize the impact of their conflict on the child. This may include providing education and resources to the parents about the effects of parental conflict on children and helping the parents to learn effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
Parenting coordination is a relatively new field, and there is still ongoing research and debate about its effectiveness. However, the majority of research studies suggest that parenting coordination can be an effective tool for helping parents in high-conflict custody disputes. A study by the American Bar Association found that parenting coordination can reduce parental conflict, improve communication between parents, and promote compliance with the parenting plan. Another study found that parenting coordination was associated with improved child well-being and reduced parental conflict.
Parenting coordination is not appropriate for all families, and there are certain situations in which it may not be effective. For example, parenting coordination may not be appropriate for families with a history of domestic violence or other safety concerns. Additionally, parenting coordination may not be effective if one or both parents are unwilling to participate or are unwilling to make changes to the parenting plan.
In conclusion, parenting coordination is a process that helps parents who are experiencing difficulty communicating or cooperating in the best interest of their child. A parenting coordinator works with the parents to develop a parenting plan, assist them in implementing and complying with the plan, and helps to resolve disputes that may arise between the parents. The goal of parenting coordination is to minimize the negative impact of the parents’ conflict on the child and to promote the child’s well-being. While parenting coordination is not appropriate for all families, research suggests that it can be an effective tool for helping parents in high-conflict custody disputes.
