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What is a Parenting Coordinator?
Parenting Coordinators are specially trained professionals whose work focuses on helping co-parents manage their parenting plan, improve communication, and resolve disputes.
Even though the Parenting Coordinator is there to work with the co-parents, the overarching focus of their work is to uphold the children’s best interests and encourage each parent to do so.
A Parenting Coordinator can provide assistance to parents who are having difficulties resolving issues regarding their children. The Parenting Coordinator works directly with the parents to help them communicate more effectively and avoid conflict when deciding these critical issues.
A Parenting Coordinator is an impartial third party appointed by the court or agreed to by the parties.
The role of Parenting Coordinators includes teaching the parents to make decisions together while reducing conflict over the daily concerns that need to be addressed.
Parenting Coordination is not a confidential process, and sometimes the Parenting Coordinator may provide their observations and recommendations to a Family Court. This helps keep everyone on track and accountable.
Parenting Coordinators do charge for their time, traditionally on an hourly basis. The parties can agree on the allocation of responsibility for fees, or the court can determine the allocation on their behalf. Most often, the fees are split equally between the parties.
A Parenting Coordinator is usually appointed for 24 months with monthly joint meetings.
Lauren Patford-Smith is a trained Parenting Coordinator, and Parenting Coordination sessions cost $250 plus GST per parent.
Two common figures involved in assisting families are Parenting Coordinators and Mediators. They each have distinct roles and unique contributions to the co-parenting process.
A Mediator is a qualified and neutral professional whose primary focus is to assist parents in reaching agreements about parenting arrangements for their children.They listen to each parent, identify disputed issues, and explore options for resolution. Mediators facilitate communication and negotiations to reach mutually agreed-upon solutions. Their goal is to empower parents to make informed decisions, emphasizing cooperation and compromise. Mediators may conclude their involvement once an agreement is reached or if it becomes evident that an agreement cannot be reached.
A Parenting Coordinator, a neutral third party, specializes in family dynamics and child development. Their primary role is to assist parents in implementing parenting orders or agreements, addressing ongoing day-to-day disputes, and fostering a harmonious co-parenting environment. Parenting Coordinators may offer recommendations on specific parenting issues if parents cannot agree and educate them on conflict removal from communication. Their involvement, particularly in high-conflict cases, is more ongoing to transition parents into healthy resolution practices without continued support.
– **Mediator:** Typically engaged in a more time-limited process, concluding when an agreement is reached, or it becomes apparent that an agreement is unattainable.
– **Parenting Coordinator:** Involvement starts after parenting orders or agreements are made and is ongoing, addressing multiple disagreements in day-to-day parenting. The Parenting Coordinator aims to educate and coach parents toward healthy future-focused problem-solving.
– **Mediator:** Fosters open communication and collaboration between parents, encouraging them to work together to develop mutually agreeable solutions. It does not provide recommendations or enforce decisions but ensures both parents have a voice.
– **Parenting Coordinator:** Aims to help parents implement orders or plans, manage conflicts, and promote effective co-parenting. It focuses on guiding parents’ post-orders or agreements with the child’s best interests in mind.
In summary, while Parenting Coordinators and Mediators are essential in assisting separated or divorced parents, their crucial distinction lies in objectives and scope. Mediators help in reaching agreements, emphasizing empowerment and cooperation. Parenting Coordinators focus on implementing agreements, reducing conflict, and fostering healthy co-parenting practices post-orders or agreements.
In summary, while Parenting Coordinators and Mediators are essential in assisting separated or divorced parents, their crucial distinction lies in objectives and scope. Mediators help in reaching agreements, emphasizing empowerment and cooperation. Parenting Coordinators focus on implementing agreements, reducing conflict, and fostering healthy co-parenting practices post-orders or agreements. Depending on family dynamics and the stage of the parenting dispute, either or both professionals can contribute significantly to fostering a cooperative and child-centric co-parenting relationship.