Co-Parent Dilemmas
There are at least two sides to every conflict, and when it's between divorced or separated parents, sparks can fly. In each episode, co-parenting experts Diane Dierks and Rick Voyles answer listener questions and talk about the benefits and risks of letting go vs. holding on to the conflict in a variety of complex topics facing co-parents today. Do you hold on for the sake of the children or let go for the same reason? Episodes are released every Sunday at noon. Listeners can email diane@cpdilemmas.com and pose a question/dilemma that may be answered on an upcoming episode. What do you do when the other parent won't be flexible with the parenting schedule? How do you respond to a co-parent who is constantly blowing up your phone with texts? Is it really important to talk to your children when they are at the other parent's house? And what about the parent who won't share important information with you about the children? Do you give in to the other parent's antics or should you hold your ground? Get answers to these questions and more on Co-Parent Dilemmas, wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
195 episodes
E5.E26. Narcissists in Co-Parenting & Time for a Pause
Today, we are replaying one of our most popular episodes entitled “Narcissists in Co-Parenting.” We also want you to know that starting this week, we are taking a podcast pause for a little while to re-evaluate where we go from here. There is a...
S5.E25. Falsely Accused
Diane & Rick discuss the issues that arise when a co-parent is accused of parental alienation or child abuse. What drives the accusation, and what can be done to enlighten court professionals?
S5.E24. The Dangers of Secret-Keeping
Diane & Rick answer listener Rachel’s question about how to respond to her kids when their dad has asked them to keep a secret from her. They explore different ways kids are put in the middle with secret-keeping and the risks associat...
S5.E23. “Is There A Case Worse Than Mine?”: Cringeworthy Co-Parents
Diane & Rick discuss some of their most difficult co-parent cases after listener Devin emails, wondering if any case is possibly worse than his! They discuss the importance of professionals working with the non-impossible parent <...
S5.E22. When Children Parrot the Other Parent’s Extreme Opinions
Listener Thomas asks how to respond to his 13-year-old son, who declares extreme political ideology that Thomas knows is coming from the other house. Should he respond? Stay silent? How do you counteract extreme ideas or values that go against ...
REBROADCAST: The Impossible Dilemma
Bethany calls in with a frustrating dilemma, and Jeff emails about a similar frustration. Diane & Rick discuss how difficult it is to be placed in a position of choosing your own peace vs. your child’s emotional welfare. This seemingly impo...
S5.E21. Parent/Pediatrician Meet-Up: Brainstorming ideas to assist non-impossible co-parents
Diane & Rick bring together a group of pediatricians and moms who have difficult co-parents to discuss innovative ways to work together. Kids of divorce often get stuck in the middle when a high-conflict co-parent weaponizes the medical com...
S5.E20. When Dad and Teen Explode: Who’s Hurt & Who’s at Fault?
Utah listener Heather wonders what more she can do to protect her two sons from their verbally abusive father. The 14-year-old explodes with dad, while the 13-year-old son witnesses the drama and tries to keep things from getting worse. Diane&a...
S5.E19. Plan B Challenges! When Plan A is Not an Option
Texas listener, Christa, answers a challenge Diane made in a previous episode to give her any dilemma, and she would suggest a viable Plan B. Diane & Rick discuss whether or not what Christa presents are co-parenting dilemmas or general par...
S5.E18. “My Feelings Matter!”: Does Every Feeling Need Validation?
Listener Todd asks if he should validate his child’s feelings, even when she says she doesn’t like him? How far does a parent go, and are feelings valid (representing truth) or simply experiences to be understood? Diane & Rick suggest it’s ...
REBROADCAST: Do I Give In to My Child’s Request to Stay Away?
This is a REPLAY of one of the show’s most popular episodes (S4.E17.). We’ll be back with new episodes next week. Diane and Rick look at a conflict that on the surface might seem easy to resolve for the Non-Impossible parent. But upon fur...
S5.E17. Reunited after Alienation: Non-traditional Parenting is Key
Listener Ben has been awarded custody of his daughter after the court determined her mother was alienating her from dad. He asks how to best parent his daughter after the trauma of alienation. Diane & Rick break it down and provide helpful,...
S5.E16. Commit or Don’t Reconnect: Kids Need Consistency and Dependability
Listener Kristen asks advice about her 9-year-old reengaging with his dad, who has been an extremely inconsistent parent. Diane & Rick discuss the harm to children when a parent consistently disappoints them by moving in and out of their li...
S5.E15. Who is Served by the Right of First Refusal?
Diane & Rick respond to recent social media posts about first right of refusal, a clause in some parenting plans that requires co-parents to give the other parent the option of being with the children when they are unable to fulfill their c...
S5.E14. Grieving the Holiday Split
Listener Kyle asks what the best holiday split is for teens. Diane & Rick ask a deeper question about what drives holiday negotiation in the beginning, when grief is most prominent. They discuss the importance of seeing the holidays through...
S5.E13. Donor Family Drama
Diane & Rick address listener Laura’s dilemma with her ex-wife, who decided to introduce their two children to the donor dad’s family without her permission. They discuss the complications that come with divorce and adopted children, as wel...
S5.E12. CRITICAL SKILLS: Pt. 3 - Why Using a Plan B Works
In this third of a three-part series of why critical co-parenting skills work, Diane & Rick explore the importance of utilizing a Plan B when conflict arises. Somewhere between Plan A (a successful negotiation) and Plan C (going to court), ...
S5.E11. CRITICAL SKILLS: Pt. 2 - Why Using a Structured Email Protocol Works
Diane & Rick address Emily’s email about her know-it-all co-parent. They discuss the goal of utilizing a structured way of communicating and why it succeeds in managing the toxic co-parent, while ant the same time, adhering to a parenting p...
S5.E10. CRITICAL SKILLS: Pt. 1 - Why Validating Your Kids’ Feelings Works
Listener Trenton wants advice on how to respond to his 10-year-old daughter when she expresses frustration about going between two homes. In this first of a three-part series on why critical co-parenting skills work, Diane and Rick discuss the ...
S5.E9. Is It “Wrong” to Move Out of State?
Listener Georgina asks about the consequences of moving her 12-year-old daughter away from her dad. They discuss the reasons why she is feeling the need to escape and how helping her daughter develop appropriate coping skills may neutralize the...
S5.E8. What Medical Professionals Need to Understand about Impossibles
At the prompting of a loyal listener, who is also a pediatrician, Diane & Rick address issues that come up in high-conflict co-parenting that medical professionals often do not understand. They provide suggestions to professionals to ...
S5.E7. The Nuts and Bolts of Parenting Coordination
Diane & Rick discuss what parenting coordination is, how it differs from co-parent counseling, who qualifies to be a PC, and what should be expected in the process. Mentioned in this episode are guidelines that most trained professionals fo...
S5.E6. The Teen Dilemma
Listener Heather wonders how she should respond to her 14-year-old son who, out of the blue, has decided not to return from the other parent’s house. Should she fight for him or let him have his way? Diane and Rick talk about the dilemma some t...
S5.E5. The Alienated Step-Parent
Diane & Rick explore the not often talked about subject of the pain of the alienated step-parent. Listener Tanner writes in to ask how to deal with the guilt of not being able to fight for a step-daughter who has only known him as a father ...
S5.E4. Is the Medical Tug of War Worth It?
Diane & Rick address listener Mindy’s dilemma around the struggle between her and her co-parent around medical decision-making. They discuss conflicts around common childhood issues such as ADHD, sensory disorders, anxiety, autism, dental a...