When parents are going through a divorce, one of the toughest things they'll have to do is determine child custody and visitation. Communicating about these emotionally charged topics can be a challenge. If you and your ex can’t come to terms independently, you may benefit from parenting coordination. In this process, a psychologist or similarly trained expert helps parents discuss their differences to make smart decisions related to their children. Find out how it works below.

What Does a Parenting Coordinator Do?

Parenting coordinators, PCs, are specially trained mediators—often mental health professionals, psychologists, or attorneys—who help parents talk about and agree on child-related issues during and after divorce. PCs aim to encourage respectful interactions between the parents, while protecting the child's best interests. Working with a PC can be a less contentious and more favorable option than taking issues like child custody and visitation to court for litigation.

A PC can help parents settle the child-related details of a divorce agreement, ensure both sides are following court orders following the agreement, and generally improve communication in the co-parenting process. 

In addition to basic custody and visitation agreements, they may help parents agree on things like where each parent can take the child during visits, what the parents can talk about in front of the kids, and even what extracurricular activities the child can participate in. For example, some parents may not want their children to participate in high-impact sports, like football, for health reasons.

What Are the Benefits of Parenting Coordination?

Parenting coordination can help parents avoid litigation, a costly and time-consuming process. It also reduces stress on parents and their children by encouraging a more harmonious atmosphere. 

In the big picture, parenting coordination can help parents improve their problem-solving and communication skills, setting them up to resolve disputes independently going forward. Finally, parenting coordination allows an objective third party to ensure that the child's rights are always protected, regardless of the parents' personal wishes.

If you believe you could benefit from parenting coordination, contact Feinberg & Associates of Lexington, KY, for assistance. Dr. David Feinberg has been practicing for more than 25 years and is supported by an experienced team of licensed psychologists. Visit their website to learn more about their parent coordination services and call (859) 233-3390 for a consultation.