Changes in marital or relationship status can bring out the worst in both parties involved. During these delicate times, it is common for parents to feel emotions like animosity, sadness, and resentment. While going through these difficult changes, parents often put their wants and needs ahead of their children’s wants and needs. When parental disputes occur within divorce courts or custody battles, a judge may appoint a parenting coordinator. Before you start your search for “parenting coordinator near me,” learn more about their responsibilities to your children and how they can help your family in challenging times.
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A parenting coordinator is a professional that helps parents settle family issues and disputes. In most cases, families will work closely with a parenting coordinator through divorces and custodial disagreements. During delicate times like these, it is common for a judge a require assistance from a coordinator. This vital resource helps parents make fair decisions together on behalf of their children. Here are a few examples of how parent coordinators can help families.
- Assistance with custodial agreements- A parenting coordinator helps parents come to an agreement when making tough custodial decisions for their families. For example, a coordinator will assist parents in planning a fair schedule when sharing custody of their children. These plans include making decisions on where the child will primarily reside, schooling options, and sharing holidays.
- Promoting communication- Parenting coordinators help teach parents how to openly communicate with one another in times of disagreement. In addition, these professionals will teach methods of compromising, being honest, and being open in hard discussions.
- Resolving conflict- As a third party, coordinators play a vital role in the resolution of the conflict between parents. By promoting communication, parenting coordinators will teach parents how to work together to make compromises about a common interest.
- Providing additional resources- Coordinators are responsible for providing families with additional resources they may need. Such resources may include family counseling services, substance abuse education and therapy, and learning aids for children with mental illnesses or learning disabilities.
Defending Children’s Needs During Times of Change
Often times, children find themselves stuck between the quarrels of their parents. Consequently, a parenting coordinator will help to ensure the parents are meeting their children’s needs through these difficult transition periods. The animosity between parents can be taxing on a child’s mental stability, so it is important for decisions to be made in a cordial manner. In fact, if the parents cannot compromise in custodial decisions, the coordinator will have to make fair decisions and custodial agreements for them in court.
Where can I find a parenting coordinator near me?
In most cases, a judge will appoint a local parenting coordinator to your family as a resource in the mediation process. Family counseling services may also help families find parenting coordinators. If you are working will a lawyer, they will provide assistance in locating a local parenting coordinator for your family to work with. While parents can search for “parenting coordinator near me,” it may be more beneficial to lean on professionals for help.
