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4: "Open Communication" = Your Ex Can Harass You 24/7
"Open communication."
"All matters involving the child."
"No restrictions on frequency or method."
Sounds cooperative, right? Like you're being a good co-parent? Bullshit.
In this episode, I'm breaking down how vague communication clauses turn you into your ex's secretary, and your high-conflict ex knows exactly what they're doing.
They're training you like a dog. Text. Respond. Text. Respond. Call during your parenting time. Answer. Call during your date night. Answer. Because if you don't? You're a "bad co-parent."
And that threat—"I'm taking you back to court"—keeps you answering. Even when it's the 16th message today. Even when you're at work. Even when the kids are with THEM and you're trying to have a fucking life.
The clauses that wreck your life:
"No restrictions on frequency or method" (they can call, text, FaceTime, stop by—whenever they want)
Your time with your kids is sacred. Your ex doesn't get unlimited access to you just because you share children.
Stop being their on-call secretary.
The Parenting Plan Masterclass shows you how to set actual boundaries: define platforms (app only, no phone calls), set business hours, clarify what counts as an emergency, and build in response time limits—so "open communication" never means unlimited harassment.
Set boundaries that stick: Parenting Plan Masterclass.
Communication needs rules. Build them in.
Here’s What You Can Actually Take Away:
"Open communication" is a myth in high-conflict co-parenting — It assumes cooperation that doesn't exist. Without boundaries, it becomes unlimited access and constant harassment.
High-conflict exes train you like a dog — Text. Respond. Text. Respond. The threat of "bad co-parent" or "I'll take you back to court" keeps you complying.
"All matters" means you become their secretary — Lost tooth? Scraped knee? Bad dream? You're reporting everything while they share nothing.
Oversharing backfires — Every positive thing you share gets torn apart and used as ammunition. Your kids watch you stop everything to answer.
"No restrictions on frequency or method" = unlimited control — They can call, text, FaceTime, stop by whenever they want. Your time isn't protected.
Reciprocation doesn't exist — You're expected to communicate everything. They share nothing. "My house, my rules" only applies to them.
Communication needs business hours — Define platform (app only), response times (24-48 hours), emergency definitions, and off-limits times.
Your parenting time is sacred — When the kids are with you, there's no emergency. They're safe. Your ex doesn't need access to you during your time.
The Truth Bombs
Follow Samantha Boss
View all episodes
By Samantha Boss
"Open communication."
"All matters involving the child."
"No restrictions on frequency or method."
Sounds cooperative, right? Like you're being a good co-parent? Bullshit.
In this episode, I'm breaking down how vague communication clauses turn you into your ex's secretary, and your high-conflict ex knows exactly what they're doing.
They're training you like a dog. Text. Respond. Text. Respond. Call during your parenting time. Answer. Call during your date night. Answer. Because if you don't? You're a "bad co-parent."
And that threat—"I'm taking you back to court"—keeps you answering. Even when it's the 16th message today. Even when you're at work. Even when the kids are with THEM and you're trying to have a fucking life.
The clauses that wreck your life:
"No restrictions on frequency or method" (they can call, text, FaceTime, stop by—whenever they want)
Your time with your kids is sacred. Your ex doesn't get unlimited access to you just because you share children.
Stop being their on-call secretary.
The Parenting Plan Masterclass shows you how to set actual boundaries: define platforms (app only, no phone calls), set business hours, clarify what counts as an emergency, and build in response time limits—so "open communication" never means unlimited harassment.
Set boundaries that stick: Parenting Plan Masterclass.
Communication needs rules. Build them in.
Here’s What You Can Actually Take Away:
"Open communication" is a myth in high-conflict co-parenting — It assumes cooperation that doesn't exist. Without boundaries, it becomes unlimited access and constant harassment.
High-conflict exes train you like a dog — Text. Respond. Text. Respond. The threat of "bad co-parent" or "I'll take you back to court" keeps you complying.
"All matters" means you become their secretary — Lost tooth? Scraped knee? Bad dream? You're reporting everything while they share nothing.
Oversharing backfires — Every positive thing you share gets torn apart and used as ammunition. Your kids watch you stop everything to answer.
"No restrictions on frequency or method" = unlimited control — They can call, text, FaceTime, stop by whenever they want. Your time isn't protected.
Reciprocation doesn't exist — You're expected to communicate everything. They share nothing. "My house, my rules" only applies to them.
Communication needs business hours — Define platform (app only), response times (24-48 hours), emergency definitions, and off-limits times.
Your parenting time is sacred — When the kids are with you, there's no emergency. They're safe. Your ex doesn't need access to you during your time.
The Truth Bombs
Follow Samantha Boss