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Divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved. Even after a divorce is finalized, parents often find themselves struggling to communicate, resolve disagreements, and keep conflict away from their children. For families facing ongoing tension, a parent coordinator can provide invaluable support and structure.

A parent coordinator (often called a “PC”) is a neutral professional, usually with a background in psychology or family law, who works with parents to reduce conflict and improve co-parenting. The role is designed to help families who find themselves stuck in repeated disagreements about parenting decisions or unable to communicate without hostility.

Here are some of the key benefits of working with a parent coordinator during and after divorce:

Children thrive when they are shielded from parental conflict. A parent coordinator helps minimize the arguments children might otherwise witness or hear about by guiding parents toward resolution in a constructive, child-focused way. This reduces stress on the children and helps create a more stable environment for them to grow and succeed.

Even with the best intentions, divorcing parents can get stuck in their own perspectives. A parent coordinator brings neutrality, someone who can listen to both sides, to help parents see the bigger picture, and ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the child rather than through ongoing disputes.

Many co-parents struggle with effective communication, especially after a difficult breakup. Parent coordinators don’t just settle disputes; they also coach parents on healthier ways to talk to one another. By practicing respectful, businesslike communication, parents are better able to co-parent without falling back into old arguments.

Without a parent coordinator, disputes often end up back in court. This means additional legal fees, emotional strain, and delays in decision-making. A parent coordinator can resolve issues more quickly and informally, sparing families from unnecessary litigation and the toll it takes on everyone involved.

At the heart of parent coordination is the principle that children’s needs come first. A parent coordinator ensures that decisions are guided by what will best support the child’s well being, rather than by lingering resentments between parents.

When parents agree to work with a parent coordinator, they are agreeing to follow a process and a structure. This creates accountability, helping both parents stay focused on solutions and avoid repeating the same conflicts.

For families caught in high-conflict co-parenting, a parent coordinator can be a game-changer. By reducing conflict, improving communication, and keeping the focus on the children, parent coordination helps families move forward in a healthier, more stable way.

At Love and Alvarez Psychology, our therapists provide parent coordination with compassion, structure, and a clear focus on the well being of children. If you’re in the middle of a high-conflict divorce or struggling to co-parent after separation, working with a parent coordinator could be the support your family needs to find a more peaceful path forward.