| Considering a Parenting Coordinator? | | | | these matters as well as management of people and |
| Some separated or divorced parents continue to find | | | | situations thereby affected. Further, the service |
| themselves in ongoing disputes, even in view of | | | | provider must be apprised and knowledgeable of |
| separation agreements and parenting plans. The | | | | issues related to child custody and access/visitation, |
| high-conflict nature of those disputes interferes with | | | | child development, separation and divorce, and issues |
| the well-being of the children and continually brings | | | | related to estrangement and alienation. |
| these parents to Court for resolution. | | | | Given the personal issues underlying some of these |
| In view of the cost and cumbersome nature of utilizing | | | | parents who continually find themselves in such |
| Courts to resolve disputes, some parents opt for the | | | | ongoing high conflict, there is also a propensity |
| services of a Parenting Coordinator. | | | | amongst some of them to turn their sights upon the |
| Parenting Coordination is a mutually agreed upon | | | | service provider when matters do not resolve, as they |
| service as usually is the actual service provider. In | | | | would prefer. Thus the same behaviour directed |
| other words, parents choose to use this dispute | | | | between parents to each other, may be directed |
| resolution alternative and service provider. The service | | | | towards the service provider. Hence, apart from the |
| provider is empowered by the parents to hear their | | | | considerable training, knowledge and experience a |
| dispute and then depending on the nature of the | | | | Parenting Coordinator must possess, of equal or |
| service agreement, will provide guidance and/or | | | | greater importance is the ability of the Parenting |
| mediation and/or arbitration to resolve it. In view of | | | | Coordinator to withstand the intensity of the parents |
| arbitration, the parents are bound by the Parenting | | | | between themselves. The Parenting Coordinator must |
| Coordinator’s binding recommendation as if it | | | | also be able to withstand either parent’s |
| were an order of the Court. Thus the parents in | | | | consternation and intensity if personally directed. |
| dispute have access to a more timely resolution | | | | When considering a Parenting Coordinator, it is wise to |
| service, often provided at lower cost. | | | | then look for someone with considerable training, |
| Clinical experience and anecdotal information suggests | | | | knowledge, experience and expertise as well as a |
| a Parenting Coordinator is helpful in keeping parents in | | | | considerable ability to handle emotional intensity, |
| high conflict situations from continually reaching the | | | | particularly when personally directed. Further, the |
| courts. The efficacy of service depends both on | | | | Parenting Coordinator should provide a clear written |
| matters originating with the parents being served and | | | | agreement specifying the terms of service to thus hold |
| upon characteristics of the service provider. | | | | all persons accountable to a set of processes for |
| Given that the Parenting Coordinator will be working | | | | managing the issues of dispute as well as disputes |
| with some of the most cantankerous situations, clinical | | | | that may arise, the result of the process or personal |
| wisdom suggests there may be underlying issues of | | | | variables. The service providers must also be clear as |
| abuse, domestic violence, power/control, mental health, | | | | to their own boundaries, fees, dispute resolution, |
| drugs and alcohol affecting people involved in those | | | | complaints and termination of service. |
| situations. Hence the service provider must possess | | | | Grey hair may also be an asset. |
| considerable training, knowledge and experience in | | | | |