Co-Parent Dilemmas

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Judge Warren Davis, a Georgia County Superior Court judge, visits the show to discuss how he views narcissistic co-parents and the tactics he uses to sanction them when their controlling behavior is out of control. Diane & Rick share a listener’s email with the judge to get his insights from the bench.

For more information about the High Conflict Institute discussed on the show, visit https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

Information regarding the book, The Narcissistic Parent: A Guidebook for Legal Professionals Working with Families in High-Conflict (Dr. C. A. Childress) can be found HERE.

Visit the Center for Navigating Family Change to learn more about the Advanced Issues in Co-Parenting online workshop to help co-parents work through their issues with a narcissistic co-parent.

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Diane & Rick answer a listener’s question about co-parenting with someone she can’t stand. Is it possible to be a “good” co-parent when you have such negative feelings, or are the feelings simply part of the natural grief process? They also discuss her question about accessing the kids by phone while they are at the other parent’s home. 

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Diane & Rick address Gillia’s email about a complicated dilemma. Her ex-husband remarried a behavioral specialist, who now thinks she should take mom’s place with the special-needs daughter AND take dad’s place as mom’s co-parent! How do you deal with an overbearing step-parent, who doesn’t understand the boundaries of her role? Should you hold on and put her in her place, or let go of this conflict?

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

William emails to ask what to do when his 12-year-old consistently complains about having to go to mom’s house. Diane & Rick speculate on the many possibilities for the resistance, including the mother’s recent remarriage. They help the listener with skills to discern the truth and respond appropriately.

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Diane & Rick address Anna’s voicemail questions regarding what her young daughter reports dad is saying about mom. Anna has chosen to journal the comments, rather than address them with her co-parent. Is there value in journaling or documenting? How should she respond to her daughter’s reports an teach her to set boundaries with dad?

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Diane & Rick tackle a difficult listener dilemma of a father refusing to engage with his two-year-old son. They discuss how to help a child when a parent is absent and what could be going on with a parent who is not interested in parenting.

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Sean writes in with a concern that his co-parent may flee to another country with his children. Diane & Rick discuss the importance of focusing on the present and what Sean can control. They offer tips on how to reduce anxiety by having a plan B.

To find an attorney who specializes in international custody disputes in your area, contact the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

A second voicemail from Lydia illuminates a common issue -- a child who acts one way at home, but quite differently on a phone call while at the other parent's home. What is really going on here? Diane and Rick discuss the phenomenon of the Chameleon Effect in children of divorce.

Read more about the chameleon effect on children in the book, Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce  by Elizabeth Marquardt

More resources about child development and divorce:
—DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN OF DIVORCE
—AGES AND STAGES: HOW TO MONITOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT
—CHILD DEVELOPMENT: MILESTONES AND PARENTING TIPS

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Lydia from North Carolina calls in to ask what to do for her 10-year-old, who seems to be in distress about events happening at her other parent’s home. Diane & Rick unpack when it is appropriate to speak to the other parent about what a child is reporting or when it is best to maintain confidences. They also discuss four signposts to look for in deciding if counseling is needed for a child.

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...

Have a quick question to be explored on the show? Send us a text message! Include your email address if you would like a personal response. Click HERE

Diane & Rick address an email from listener, Anthony, who feels powerless to improve his co-parent relationship. They discuss the importance of taking care of his own emotions so he doesn’t use his child as a sounding board.  Diane questions why parents seem shocked that their co-parent is acting (after divorce) much like they did in marriage!

Support the show

>>>>CONTACT US  >>>>RATE THE SHOW  >>>>VISIT OUR WEBSITE

CO-PARENT RESOURCES:

• Subscribe to Diane’s DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRUSTRATED CO-PARENTS and get a one-month FREE trial 
• If you want to learn more about Diane & Rick’s D.R.A.G.O.N. method for finding co-parenting peace, purchase their book,  I AM NON-IMPOSSIBLE  
• THE CO-PARENT TOOLBOX , is Diane Dierks’ guide for co-parents 
• CLICK HERE for FREE communication resources for co-parents  
• For valuable co-parent workshop videos and products, visit our Non-Impossible STORE!
• To get a special discount on therapy visit BetterHelp

FOR DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS:

• IMPACT training to learn how to...