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